Bats, Understory Treatment and Green Tree Retention: Biodiversity and Forest Management

Presented by Julia Rizzo and Dr. Vanessa Rojas, with co-authors Dr. Greg McGee and Stacy McNulty, State University of New York ? College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Date: September 21, 2022

Time: Presentations at 12:00 to 1:00 PM and again at 7:00 to 8:00 PM (webinars may run long with questions)

Insectivorous bats play important roles in forest ecosystems and their protection is critical. However, bat populations in North America, specifically Myotis species known as the ?mouse-eared bats?, have declined rapidly and are threatened due to white-nose syndrome (WNS) and habitat degradation. Apart from mitigating WNS, we can also assist the recovery of imperiled Myotis bats by incorporating forest management strategies that improve summer roosting and foraging success. We studied Myotis species at an experimental forest management site at SUNY-ESF Huntington Wildlife Forest in the Adirondack Park to determine the link between bat habitat use and forest structural characteristics. Our preliminary analyses show that forest variables such as canopy cover and sapling density affect probability of bat habitat use. We will discuss future outcomes of this project that potentially impact forest management decision-making.

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