Conservation efforts have taken an important step forward, thanks to observations of bats – creatures that make up a quarter of all of the UK’s native mammal species.
In a paper published , researchers at the University of Leeds describe how they recorded the echolocation calls of more than 15,000 bats during 120 walks in the Lake District to create maps that show the suitability of areas for bat habitation.
"They are the most detailed large-scale habitat suitability maps ever created for bats in the UK, with a resolution of 50 metres.
The impact of the maps will extend far beyond bat conservation, the researchers say. “Since bats are particularly sensitive to changes in the environment, they are recognised as good indicators for the overall health of an ecosystem,” says Dr Chloe Bellamy from the University of Leeds, lead author of the paper. "
Source: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=3416
Abstract of the Journal
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12117/abstract
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