Wildlife crossings increase bat connectivity: Evidence from Northern Germany

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Autori principali: Martínez-Medina, Daniela, Ahmad, Sate, González-Rojas, Maria Fernanda, Reck, Heinrich
Natura: Recurso digital
Pubblicazione: Zenodo 2022
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author Martínez-Medina, Daniela
Ahmad, Sate
González-Rojas, Maria Fernanda
Reck, Heinrich
author_facet Martínez-Medina, Daniela
Ahmad, Sate
González-Rojas, Maria Fernanda
Reck, Heinrich
contents (Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Although roads are important cultural objects in our society, they can have negative impacts on the environment. Bat populations are affected by roads in several ways, including habitat loss, death due to collision with vehicles, and reduced habitat connectivity. In recent years, different mitigation practices have been introduced to help animals safely cross roads, reduce road kills, and minimize habitat fragmentation. This study aims to investigate to what extent two types of existing wildlife crossings (a green bridge and an underpass) on the A21 highway (in Northern Germany) are used by bats. All-night acoustic recordings of bat activity at the wildlife crossings, on the highway, and in the surroundings show that bats use both mitigation structures. Our results indicate that bats use mitigation structures depending on their degree of clutter-adaptation: Species from the genus Myotis, which are highly clutter-adapted, were the most recorded in the underpass, while Pipistrellus spp., which are less clutteradapted, were the most recorded on the Green Bridge. Contrary to expectations, many bat passes were regis­ tered on the highway as well. Long-term monitoring studies are needed (including counting of bat fatalities) to clarify if further mitigation measures are needed. In conclusion, the use of wildlife crossings as mitigation structures can be effective, mostly for clutter-adapted species (Myotis spp. and Plecotus auritus).
format Recurso digital
id zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_13467948
institution Zenodo
language
publishDate 2022
publisher Zenodo
record_format zenodo
spellingShingle Wildlife crossings increase bat connectivity: Evidence from Northern Germany
Martínez-Medina, Daniela
Ahmad, Sate
González-Rojas, Maria Fernanda
Reck, Heinrich
Biodiversity
Mammalia
Chiroptera
Chordata
Animalia
bats
bat
(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Although roads are important cultural objects in our society, they can have negative impacts on the environment. Bat populations are affected by roads in several ways, including habitat loss, death due to collision with vehicles, and reduced habitat connectivity. In recent years, different mitigation practices have been introduced to help animals safely cross roads, reduce road kills, and minimize habitat fragmentation. This study aims to investigate to what extent two types of existing wildlife crossings (a green bridge and an underpass) on the A21 highway (in Northern Germany) are used by bats. All-night acoustic recordings of bat activity at the wildlife crossings, on the highway, and in the surroundings show that bats use both mitigation structures. Our results indicate that bats use mitigation structures depending on their degree of clutter-adaptation: Species from the genus Myotis, which are highly clutter-adapted, were the most recorded in the underpass, while Pipistrellus spp., which are less clutteradapted, were the most recorded on the Green Bridge. Contrary to expectations, many bat passes were regis­ tered on the highway as well. Long-term monitoring studies are needed (including counting of bat fatalities) to clarify if further mitigation measures are needed. In conclusion, the use of wildlife crossings as mitigation structures can be effective, mostly for clutter-adapted species (Myotis spp. and Plecotus auritus).
title Wildlife crossings increase bat connectivity: Evidence from Northern Germany
topic Biodiversity
Mammalia
Chiroptera
Chordata
Animalia
bats
bat
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13467948