The effects of forest fragmentation on the forest-dependent northern long-eared bat (myotis septentrionalis)

Abstract

The modification of formerly contiguous natural areas is a central concern to conservation biology because of the potential to negatively affect biological communities. Characterizing the effects of forest fragmentation is essential to understanding the response of populations of forest species to fragmentation. The goal of this thesis was to explore the effects of forest fragmentation on a forest-dependent bat species in an agriculturally-dominated landscape by; (1) relating the distribution of northern long-eared bats ( Myotis septentrionalis ) to forest loss and changes in forest composition; and (2) examining the movements and resource selection of female bats. The best predictor of bat distribution was the area of hardwoods, with the effect at the fragment level for females and at the landscape level for males. Female bat movements were found to be strongly associated with forest features. The availability of roosts, amount of structural clutter (tree density) and proximity to forested creeks best explained the spatial separation of roosting and foraging areas. This study demonstrates the impacts of forest management practices on bats and highlights the importance of incorporating the requirements of forest-dwelling bats into forest management plans to maintain bat populations.