Why conserve bats?
“First and foremost, for a reason we do not see stated as often as we should in conservation arguments: simply because they are, like all other organisms, part of our astonishingly rich biosphere. Bats are part of a global ecosystem, with a part to play in its continuing evolution. Must we justify their existence only in terms of what they can do for humans?” (Altringham 2011).
“First and foremost, for a reason we do not see stated as often as we should in conservation arguments: simply because they are, like all other organisms, part of our astonishingly rich biosphere. Bats are part of a global ecosystem, with a part to play in its continuing evolution. Must we justify their existence only in terms of what they can do for humans?” (Altringham 2011).
Threats to bats
Many bats are under severe threat from increasing human pressures. Globally, the main threats to bats include habitat loss and degradation, climate change, overexploitation, disease, disturbance and persecution. About 24% of bat species are considered threatened according to the IUCN, and many others (including 14 bat species found in southern Africa) are classified as Data Deficient because not enough is known about them to assess their population trends.
Did you know? Some bat species are as severely threatened as the black rhino (Critically Endangered) or cheetah (Vulnerable).
Habitat loss and degradation
One of the main threats to bats is pressure on resources that lead to the loss or modification of foraging habitats and roosts. For example, agricultural expansion has led to the widespread destruction of important habitats for bats, such as woodlands and forests. Human-made infrastructure can also affect bat populations causing direct mortality (for instance at wind farm sites), fragmenting habitats with roads or reducing habitat quality with artificial lightning that many bat species avoid. Deforestation and wind farm development are occurring at accelerated rates in southern Africa, with potentially severe consequences for bat populations.
Climate change
Global warming and changing weather patterns are predicted to affect bat populations mainly through changes in the extent and distribution of climatically suitable areas. Studies across the world have already reported shifts in the distribution of several bat species that have coincided with temperature increases. Many species are projected to experience range contractions and even complete range losses by the end of the century. Smith and colleagues (2016) predicted extensive shifts in the location of priority areas for the conservation of African bats under the combined effect of future climate and land use changes. Even though bats can be more mobile than other small mammals, habitat loss and fragmentation may make it hard for bats to shift their distributions to new climatically suitable areas. The frequency of mass bat mortality events due to factors such as heat waves, intense storms, flooding, and drought is also likely to increase in the future with climate change.
Overexploitation
In some areas of the World such as the Indian or Pacific Ocean Islands, larger species of bat are consumed as food by humans. This is unlikely to be a major threat where it involves common species. However, for some threatened species, or where trade becomes commercialised, the situation may be more serious.
Disturbance and persecution
Bats frequently have a negative public image based on misconceptions and lack of knowledge about their ecological roles. Perceived risks of damage and disease can lead to persecution (e.g. destruction of roosts) and have devastating effects on bat populations. For example, in areas where fruit is grown on a commercial scale, and where orchards have replaced forests which would otherwise be key bat feeding areas, some bats may feed on fruits; this perceived conflict can lead to indiscriminate attempts to control or eradicate bats. Some bat species frequently roost in houses, and fatal methods such as fumigation are sadly sometimes used to exclude them (we have reports of this occurring in southern Africa). Underground sites such as caves and mines are used by bats for breeding, hibernating or roosting, and their destruction or disturbance can negatively impact on bats.
One of the main threats to bats is pressure on resources that lead to the loss or modification of foraging habitats and roosts. For example, agricultural expansion has led to the widespread destruction of important habitats for bats, such as woodlands and forests. Human-made infrastructure can also affect bat populations causing direct mortality (for instance at wind farm sites), fragmenting habitats with roads or reducing habitat quality with artificial lightning that many bat species avoid. Deforestation and wind farm development are occurring at accelerated rates in southern Africa, with potentially severe consequences for bat populations.
Climate change
Global warming and changing weather patterns are predicted to affect bat populations mainly through changes in the extent and distribution of climatically suitable areas. Studies across the world have already reported shifts in the distribution of several bat species that have coincided with temperature increases. Many species are projected to experience range contractions and even complete range losses by the end of the century. Smith and colleagues (2016) predicted extensive shifts in the location of priority areas for the conservation of African bats under the combined effect of future climate and land use changes. Even though bats can be more mobile than other small mammals, habitat loss and fragmentation may make it hard for bats to shift their distributions to new climatically suitable areas. The frequency of mass bat mortality events due to factors such as heat waves, intense storms, flooding, and drought is also likely to increase in the future with climate change.
Overexploitation
In some areas of the World such as the Indian or Pacific Ocean Islands, larger species of bat are consumed as food by humans. This is unlikely to be a major threat where it involves common species. However, for some threatened species, or where trade becomes commercialised, the situation may be more serious.
Disturbance and persecution
Bats frequently have a negative public image based on misconceptions and lack of knowledge about their ecological roles. Perceived risks of damage and disease can lead to persecution (e.g. destruction of roosts) and have devastating effects on bat populations. For example, in areas where fruit is grown on a commercial scale, and where orchards have replaced forests which would otherwise be key bat feeding areas, some bats may feed on fruits; this perceived conflict can lead to indiscriminate attempts to control or eradicate bats. Some bat species frequently roost in houses, and fatal methods such as fumigation are sadly sometimes used to exclude them (we have reports of this occurring in southern Africa). Underground sites such as caves and mines are used by bats for breeding, hibernating or roosting, and their destruction or disturbance can negatively impact on bats.