This study presents the findings of a field study examining roost tree selection and
roosting ranges of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in an experimental
ecosystem of two southern Indiana state forests comprised of differing timber harvesting
treatments. The northern long-eared bat is anticipated to be added to the Endangered Species list
in the fall of 2014, so understanding its habitat selection is important to aid in minimizing their
population decline. Northern long-eared bats were captured in Morgan-Monroe and
Yellowwood state forests, and females were fitted with transmitters. We tracked these bats to
their maternity roost trees during the day, and measured vegetation characteristics around those
trees. Roost tree locations were plotted in ArcMap (ArcGIS 10.2) to find roosting ranges, and
the roosting range size for this species was found to average 5.4 ha. Bats roosted in the
unharvested forest more often than in trees within the harvested areas, and selected areas
containing more vegetation obstruction, or clutter, in both areas. However, northern long-eared
bats are roost generalists when compared to other species for many vegetative characteristics, and may tolerate smaller forest harvests as long as adequate roost trees remain available on the
landscape. / Roost tree selection of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in southern Indiana -- Roosting ranges of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in southern Indiana. / Department of Biology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:123456789/198110 |
| Date | 03 May 2014 |
| Creators | Badin, Holly A. |
| Contributors | Carter, Timothy C. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
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