ill. (some col.); col. maps; Typescript (photocopy); Thesis (M.E.M.)-Duke University, 2006; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-53)
Abstract Of the 45 species of bats in the United States, 11 are listed as threatened or endangered, due largely to habitat destruction. Documenting their habitat use provides the spatial data necessary for evaluating the impacts of land-use practices, such as logging and prescribed burns, on their distribution and survivorship. Using quantitative models with habitat descriptors, I predicted bat activity for Crater Lake and Redwoods National Parks. I collected activity data with acoustic detectors, and used regression trees to create habitat associations with bat activity levels. I then created maps that predict bat activities based on these habitat associations. Bat activity for all species was most strongly associated with distances to water at Crater Lake National Park, and elevation at Redwoods National Park. However, canopy cover and vegetation were also key predictors in both parks. In Redwoods National Park the combined activity of all bat species was significantly greater in old-growth forests than in second-growth forests. Due to the difficult nature of studying bats in the wild, predictive activity maps are important tools for targeting habitat necessary for bat conservation.
Abstract Of the 45 species of bats in the United States, 11 are listed as threatened or endangered, due largely to habitat destruction. Documenting their habitat use provides the spatial data necessary for evaluating the impacts of land-use practices, such as logging and prescribed burns, on their distribution and survivorship. Using quantitative models with habitat descriptors, I predicted bat activity for Crater Lake and Redwoods National Parks. I collected activity data with acoustic detectors, and used regression trees to create habitat associations with bat activity levels. I then created maps that predict bat activities based on these habitat associations. Bat activity for all species was most strongly associated with distances to water at Crater Lake National Park, and elevation at Redwoods National Park. However, canopy cover and vegetation were also key predictors in both parks. In Redwoods National Park the combined activity of all bat species was significantly greater in old-growth forests than in second-growth forests. Due to the difficult nature of studying bats in the wild, predictive activity maps are important tools for targeting habitat necessary for bat conservation.