Bat dynamics modelling as a tool for conservation management in subterranean environments

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 20;17(10):e0275984. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275984. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Bat species inhabit subterranean environments (e.g., caves and mines) in small areas with specific microclimatic conditions, during various periods of their life cycle. Bats can be negatively influenced by microclimatic changes within their roosts if optimal habitat patches become unavailable. Therefore, proper management solutions must be applied for the conservation of vulnerable bat populations, especially in show caves. We have pursued an ensemble species distribution modelling approach in subterranean environments to identify sensible patches for bats. Using multi-annual temperature monitoring and bat distribution surveys performed within ten caves and mines, including show caves, we modelled relevant habitat patches for five bat species. The temperature-based variables generated from this approach proved to be effective when processed via species distribution models, which generated optimal validation results, even for bats that were heavily clustered in colonies. Management measures are proposed for each show cave to help in long-time conservation of hibernation and maternity colonies. These measures include creating suitable microclimatic patches within the caves by ecological reconstruction measures, tourist management practices in relation to bats, and show cave fitting recommendations. This approach has never been performed at this scale due to the complex geostatistical challenges involving subterranean environment mapping and can be further used as best practice guidelines for future conservation projects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caves
  • Chiroptera*
  • Ecosystem
  • Hibernation*
  • Microclimate
  • Pregnancy

Grants and funding

The field data was obtained during the grants CAVEMONITOR (EEA Grant 17SEE/2014) and 146/2010 “Mapping subterranean sites and evaluating the conservation status of bat species from the most important sites in the Buila-Vânturarița National Park”. A grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI – UEFISCDI, project no. 2/2019 (DARKFOOD), within PNCDI III and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, under the project contract no. 3/2019 (KARSTHIVES) financially supported the different teams for the analyses and results interpretation. A scholarship from the Romanian Academy within the doctoral school program (SCOSAAR) was awarded to DSM, and helped in data collection within the initial stages of the project. IG was partially funded by the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS – UEFISCDI, through project number: PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2021- 0591, within PNCDI III.