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Testing multichambered bat box designs in a habitat-offset area in eastern Australia: influence of material, colour, size and box host.
- Source :
-
Pacific Conservation Biology . 2020, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p13-21. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Bat boxes are frequently used as conservation and habitat-offset measures, yet their effectiveness is equivocal, particularly in Australia. Boxes used in Australia are largely voluminous-type boxes with Chalinolobus gouldii (Gould's wattled bat) frequently dominating their use. We tested multichambered boxes comprising fissure-type cavities made from either plywood (~20 000 cm3) or woodcement (~7400 cm3). We investigated whether occupancy was influenced by box colour (white boxes facing morning sun versus black boxes facing afternoon sun), box material/size, chamber width (15 mm versus 20 mm) and box host (tree versus pole). Boxes were monitored over 1.8 years. Overall, 245 bat observations were recorded. Boxes were frequently used (15% of 1088 box checks) by Nyctophilus geoffroyi (lesser long-eared bat), a species uncommonly reported to use boxes, which used 50 of the 64 boxes (78%), including for maternity roosting (n = 6). In comparison, C. gouldii was rarely detected (1% of box checks). Two other species were also found in boxes at low frequencies. Modelling showed a preference by N. geoffroyi for black boxes, the larger plywood box and boxes installed on poles. Fissure-type boxes appear to meet the roost requirements of N. geoffroyi but not that of C. gouldii , the species principally detected in voluminous-type boxes and postulated to gain a competitive advantage. The black woodcement box was the second most frequently used design, demonstrating that this long-lasting box material can be a suitable alternative to the less durable plywood material. Given that just one species commonly used boxes, there is a need for further research on box designs. The frequent use of bat boxes as conservation and habitat-offset tools has outpaced the research required to implement bat box programs effectively. We tested narrow-chambered boxes. These boxes were attractive for Nyctophilus geoffroyi (lesser long-eared bat) but not for Chalinalobus gouldii (Gould's wattled bat), a species postulated to gain a competitive advantage where voluminous-type boxes are installed. N. geoffroyi showed a preference for warm boxes and the plywood box. Given that just one species commonly used the tested boxes, there is a need for further research on box designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *BAT conservation
*BOXES
*BATS
*COMPETITIVE advantage in business
*PLYWOOD
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10382097
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Pacific Conservation Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 142025762
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18092