Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy
Wind turbine-related mortality may pose a population-level threat for migratory tree-roosting bats, such as the hoary bat (<i>Lasiurus cinereus</i>) in North America. These species are dispersed within their range, making it impractical to estimate census populations size using tradition...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-12-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/1/81 |
| _version_ | 1797499722752065536 |
|---|---|
| author | Amanda M. Hale Cris D. Hein Bethany R. Straw |
| author_facet | Amanda M. Hale Cris D. Hein Bethany R. Straw |
| author_sort | Amanda M. Hale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wind turbine-related mortality may pose a population-level threat for migratory tree-roosting bats, such as the hoary bat (<i>Lasiurus cinereus</i>) in North America. These species are dispersed within their range, making it impractical to estimate census populations size using traditional survey methods. Nonetheless, understanding population size and trends is essential for evaluating and mitigating risk from wind turbine mortality. Using various sampling techniques, including systematic acoustic sampling and genetic analyses, we argue that building a weight of evidence regarding bat population status and trends is possible to (1) assess the sustainability of mortality associated with wind turbines; (2) determine the level of mitigation required; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures to ensure population viability for these species. Long-term, systematic data collection remains the most viable option for reducing uncertainty regarding population trends for migratory tree-roosting bats. We recommend collecting acoustic data using the statistically robust North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) protocols and that genetic diversity is monitored at repeated time intervals to show species trends. There are no short-term actions to resolve these population-level questions; however, we discuss opportunities for relatively short-term investments that will lead to long-term success in reducing uncertainty. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:51:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a4ff9556c3dd45ed851eccac88c96e28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:51:30Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-a4ff9556c3dd45ed851eccac88c96e282023-11-23T11:05:25ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-12-011218110.3390/ani12010081Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind EnergyAmanda M. Hale0Cris D. Hein1Bethany R. Straw2Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USANational Renewable Energy Laboratory, Arvada, CO 80007, USAFort Collins Science Center, U. S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USAWind turbine-related mortality may pose a population-level threat for migratory tree-roosting bats, such as the hoary bat (<i>Lasiurus cinereus</i>) in North America. These species are dispersed within their range, making it impractical to estimate census populations size using traditional survey methods. Nonetheless, understanding population size and trends is essential for evaluating and mitigating risk from wind turbine mortality. Using various sampling techniques, including systematic acoustic sampling and genetic analyses, we argue that building a weight of evidence regarding bat population status and trends is possible to (1) assess the sustainability of mortality associated with wind turbines; (2) determine the level of mitigation required; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures to ensure population viability for these species. Long-term, systematic data collection remains the most viable option for reducing uncertainty regarding population trends for migratory tree-roosting bats. We recommend collecting acoustic data using the statistically robust North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) protocols and that genetic diversity is monitored at repeated time intervals to show species trends. There are no short-term actions to resolve these population-level questions; however, we discuss opportunities for relatively short-term investments that will lead to long-term success in reducing uncertainty.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/1/81acoustic monitoringhoary batmigratory batsNABatpopulation geneticspopulation genomics |
| spellingShingle | Amanda M. Hale Cris D. Hein Bethany R. Straw Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy Animals acoustic monitoring hoary bat migratory bats NABat population genetics population genomics |
| title | Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy |
| title_full | Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy |
| title_fullStr | Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy |
| title_short | Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy |
| title_sort | acoustic and genetic data can reduce uncertainty regarding populations of migratory tree roosting bats impacted by wind energy |
| topic | acoustic monitoring hoary bat migratory bats NABat population genetics population genomics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/1/81 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amandamhale acousticandgeneticdatacanreduceuncertaintyregardingpopulationsofmigratorytreeroostingbatsimpactedbywindenergy AT crisdhein acousticandgeneticdatacanreduceuncertaintyregardingpopulationsofmigratorytreeroostingbatsimpactedbywindenergy AT bethanyrstraw acousticandgeneticdatacanreduceuncertaintyregardingpopulationsofmigratorytreeroostingbatsimpactedbywindenergy |