Space use and resource selection by foraging Indiana bats at the northern edge of their distribution

Endangered Species Research
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Despite 4 decades of conservation concern, managing endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) populations remains a difficult wildlife resource issue facing natural resource managers in the eastern United States. After small signs of population recovery, the recent emergence of white-nose syndrome has led to concerns of local and/or regional extirpation of the species. Where Indiana bats persist, retaining high-quality foraging areas will be critical to meet physiological needs and ensure successful recruitment and overwinter survival. However, insight into foraging behavior has been lacking in the Northeast of the USA. We radio-tracked 12 Indiana bats over 2 summers at Fort Drum, New York, to evaluate factors influencing Indiana bat resource selection during night-time foraging. We found that foraging space use decreased 2% for every 100 m increase in distance to water and 6% for every 100 m away from the forest edge. This suggests high use of riparian areas in close proximity to forest and is somewhat consistent with the species’ foraging ecology in the Midwest and upper South. Given the importance of providing access to high-quality foraging areas during the summer maternity season, Indiana bat conservation at the northern extent of the species’ range will be linked to retention of forested habitat in close proximity to riparian zones. 

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Space use and resource selection by foraging Indiana bats at the northern edge of their distribution
Series title Endangered Species Research
DOI 10.3354/esr00594
Volume 24
Issue 2
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Inter-Research
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 9 p.
First page 149
Last page 157
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details