Effective conservation of subterranean‐roosting bats

• Published in: Conservation biology 2024-02, Vol.38 (1), p.e14157-n/a
• Main Authors: Meierhofer, Melissa B., Johnson, Joseph S., Perez‐Jimenez, Janette, Ito, Fernanda, Webela, Paul W., Wiantoro, Sigit, Bernard, Enrico, Tanalgo, Krizler C., Hughes, Alice, Cardoso, Pedro, Lilley, Thomas, Mammola, Stefano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal diseases; Bats; biología subterránea; Cavernicolous species; Caves; Chiroptera; colocación de compuertas; conservación basada en evidencias; Conservation; Decontamination; dormidero; ecosystem service; Effectiveness; Environmental restoration; especie paraguas; evidence‐based conservation; Food chains; Food webs; gating; Habitats; management practices; Network analysis; Organisms; Population studies; Populations; prácticas de manejo; roost; servicio ambiental; Spores; subterranean biology; umbrella species; Underground caverns; White-nose syndrome; 伞护种; 地下生物; 基于证据的保护; 封堵; 生态系统服务; 管理措施; 翼手目; 蝙蝠栖息地
• ISSN: 0888-8892; 1523-1739
• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14157

Bats frequently inhabit caves and other subterranean habitats and play a critical role in subterranean food webs. With escalating threats to subterranean ecosystems, identifying the most effective measures to protect subterranean‐roosting bats is critical. We conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and management interventions for subterranean‐roosting bats. We used network analyses to determine to what extent interventions for bats overlap those used for other subterranean taxa. We conducted our analyses with data extracted from 345 papers recommending a total of 910 conservation interventions. Gating of roost entrances was applied to preserve bat populations in 21 studies, but its effectiveness was unclear. Habitat restoration and disturbance reduction positively affected bat populations and bat behavior, respectively, in ≤4 studies. Decontamination was assessed in 2 studies and positively affected bat populations, particularly in studies focused on reducing fungal spores associated with white‐nose syndrome in North America. Monitoring of bat populations as an effective conservation strategy was unclear and infrequently tested. Only 4% of bat studies simultaneously considered other subterranean organisms. However, effective interventions for bat conservation had similarities with all other organisms. If other subterranean organisms are considered when applying interventions to conserve bats, they might also benefit. Conservación eficiente de murciélagos subterráneos Resumen Es común que los murciélagos habiten en cuevas y otros hábitats subterráneos y contribuyan a las redes alimenticias bajo tierra. Ya que estos ecosistemas cada vez se enfrentan a más amenazas, es importante identificar las medidas más efectivas para proteger a los murciélagos subterráneos. Realizamos un metaanálisis para evaluar la eficiencia de la conservación y las intervenciones de manejo para estos mamíferos. Usamos un análisis de redes para determinar el grado al que las intervenciones en pro de los murciélagos se traslapan con aquellas usadas para otros taxones subterráneos. Realizamos nuestros análisis con datos extraídos de 345 artículos que recomendaban 910 intervenciones de conservación. Se aplicó la colocación de compuertas en la entrada de los dormideros para conservar la población de murciélagos en 21 estudios, pero no quedó clara su efectividad. La restauración del hábitat y la reducción de las perturbaciones afectaron, respectivamente, a l