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Winter conditions in the Southern U.S. can dramatically alter the environment, affecting the forests and their inhabitants. Recent research conducted by the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources has revealed that ongoing forest management strategies are fostering healthy bat populations, despite these seasonal changes.
With the increasing threat posed by white-nose syndrome, a devastating fungal disease affecting bats, wildlife ecology and management expert Steven Castleberry aims to ensure that other critical elements of bat survival are sustained.
“While we cannot mitigate the effects of this disease, our focus is on providing optimal habitats for these animals,” Castleberry noted. “As bat populations begin to recover, it’s essential that we continue to maintain quality forests and habitats.”
Earlier studies examined bat survival in managed forests during summer months, but the influence of winter on forest conditions and the availability of prey had not been fully explored until now.
Foundational Forestry
In the study, Castleberry collaborated with Santiago Perea, a former UGA Ph.D. student, to analyze bat activity over the course of 400 nights using echolocation technology.
The findings indicated that bats in Southeastern forests thrive in semi-open, canopied areas—referred to as varied stand structures. An ideal mix exists where open canopies facilitate efficient flight and feeding, while dense, closed-canopy zones present challenges for movement.
“These forest types create a mosaic that supports bats,” Castleberry explained. “Bats require a variety of forest environments, and the diverse stages of forest succession found in these stands fulfill that need.”
Castleberry observed that most privately owned forests already provide an adequate balance for bats during winter months. He advised forest managers to preserve this balance rather than implement radical changes.
“This approach is beneficial for both business and the environment, and it supports the bat populations as well,” he stated.
Pinning Down Prey
Winter temperatures also significantly affect the availability of food sources for bats. Colder weather causes nocturnal flying insects—an essential food group for bats—to become less active and more easily captured, a positive outcome for these mammals.
“All bat species in the Southeast are insectivorous, relying heavily on insect populations,” he noted. “There has been limited research on winter insect activity compared to summer, so we were particularly interested in assessing their abundance during the colder months.”
With the help of co-author Kamal Gandhi, who serves as the interim associate dean for research, Castleberry’s team was able to catalog a variety of insect species present in the forests.
While cooler temperatures did influence insect behavior, Castleberry identified an additional advantage to having a diverse forest structure—the more varied the stand, the broader the spectrum of insects present.
No Need to Over-Strategize
The researchers stressed that maintaining a diverse forest structure is vital for bat conservation. A well-balanced approach to forest management ensures the availability of varied vegetation, essential for these flying mammals.
Bats represent approximately 20% of all mammal species, and their roles in regulating insect populations and aiding in seed dispersal are critical. One analysis estimates that bats contribute over $22 billion in value to agricultural systems through their pest control capabilities.
“Natural ecosystems and working forests are often more intricate than we realize, and our research underscores the complex interactions they support,” remarked Perea, a co-author of the study. “This highlights the importance of implementing diverse forest management practices to promote a robust bat community.”
This study received funding from the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement and involved contributions from co-authors Amanda Vicente-Santos, Angela L. Larsen-Gray, Daniel U. Greene, and Brittany F. Barnes.
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