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• We need more data on the behaviors of forest-dependent bats in managed forests. • We tracked eastern red bats as they foraged and roosted in managed hardwood forests in Indiana, USA. • Both sexes foraged in small areas, roosting in tall trees in uncluttered stands. • Management openings, ponds, and corridors were selected for roosting and foraging. • Eastern red bats can coexist with and could benefit from timber management. Forests provide crucial foraging and roosting habitat to many bat species, and the gradual loss of forests is among the principal threats to global bat diversity. Forests that persist in the face of land use change are those that are managed for a variety of uses, including recreation, hunting, timber production, and wildlife conservation. Thus, understanding how bats respond to management is imperative to their conservation. We used radio telemetry to study the roosting and foraging behaviors of male and female eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis). These forest-dependent bats roost in the foliage of live trees and are declining across their range. We tracked 26 bats (7 males and 18 females; one female was tracked twice) from May to August 2017–2019 in two state forests in south-central Indiana, USA. We estimated space use with 95% kernel density estimates and used generalized linear and linear mixed models to assess resource selection and use at three levels: population-level foraging selection, individual-level foraging use, and population-level roost selection. On average, eastern red bats foraged over a relatively small area (81 ha) and traveled a maximum distance of 1404 m from their roosts. The eastern red bat population foraged near maintained openings, recent regeneration openings, roads, and ponds within the study area. Within their foraging ranges, eastern red bats spent more time foraging near roads, ponds, and ridges. Eastern red bats roosted near maintained openings, recent regeneration openings, and ponds, switching roosts every two days. Roost trees were larger than random trees and were in plots containing fewer live stems than random plots. Together, these results reveal that some of the most important landscape features for eastern red bats are linear corridors (e.g., roads or ridgetops), forest openings (e.g., maintained openings and recent regeneration openings), perennial sources of water (e.g., ponds), and large trees. Overall, eastern red bats exhibited strong selection for managed portions of the forest, suggesting they can coexist with and likely benefit from timber management. When considering habitat for eastern red bats in central hardwood forests, we recommend land managers work to maintain large tracts of mature (>90 years old) forest, interspersed with young regeneration openings and provisioned with perennial water sources (e.g., ponds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Foraging habitat is as essential as roosts for maternity colonies. • Myotis sodalis forages over twice the spatial area than M. septentrionalis. • Both species took advantage of small regeneration openings and ponds. • Within species, individuals exhibit differing habitat preferences. • Maintaining heterogeneous forests supports multiple bat species. Bat populations face numerous threats, including the loss of forests in which they roost and forage. Present-day forests are commonly managed for timber harvesting, recreation, and wildlife. Understanding bat responses to forest management is crucial for balancing the conservation of endangered bats and forest restoration. We used radio telemetry to study nocturnal movements and habitat selection patterns of female and juvenile bats of two forest-dependent, federally listed bat species in an oak-dominated managed forest. We estimated foraging space use and assessed habitat selection for 33 northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) and 25 Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) from May to August 2014–2017 in south-central Indiana, USA. Myotis septentrionalis space use averaged 176 ha and bats selected water, historic thinning, and patch cuts (≤4 ha) over other habitats, with all but one bat avoiding larger openings (≥4-ha clearcuts). Myotis sodalis space use averaged 343 ha and bats selected 4-ha patch cuts, historic openings, and historic thinning over other habitats. In contrast to M. septentrionalis , one-third of the M. sodalis foraged over larger clearcuts, while two-thirds foraged over smaller openings and thinnings. We showed that bats were attracted to small regeneration harvests of varying structural ages. Forests maintained for a mix of mature stands, thinned stands, shelterwoods, small regenerative cuts (<7 ha), and small water sources should provide suitable foraging habitat for these endangered Myotis species, while also promoting forest regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the ecology of bats and roads has largely covered impacts of major highways, but varying types of roads and surrounding habitats may differ in their impacts on bat activity. We conducted 28 mobile acoustic surveys in and around Indiana state forests from May to August 2012. We employed Manly's selection ratios to examine levels of bat activity along different types of roads through various habitats, and the interaction of road and habitat, using an exact chi-squared test. Activity was higher than expected along unpaved local roads and roads that were lined with open-canopy forest and forest edges, whereas activity was lower than expected along state highways and 'other' roads (e.g., service roads), as well as roads within open areas. The influence of a road on activity was dependent on surrounding habitat features. For example, activity on unpaved local roads was greater than expected when surrounded by closed-canopy forest, but lower than expected when surrounded by human development. Inventory and monitoring programs might be improved if they consider the interacting roles of road and habitat type in influencing how bats select their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]