Roost selection by barbastelle bats (Barbastella barbastellus, Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in beech woodlands of central Italy: consequences for conservation |
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Authors: | Danilo Russo Luca Cistrone Stefano Mazzoleni |
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Institution: | a Dipartimento AR.BO.PA.VE., Facoltà di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università, 100, I-80055 Portici, Naples, Italyb School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UKc Dipartimento di tecnologie, ingegneria e scienze dell'Ambiente e delle Foreste (D.A.F.), Università della Tuscia, via San Camillo de Lellis, I-01100, Viterbo, Italy |
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Abstract: | We investigated roost selection by Barbastella barbastellus in a mountainous area of central Italy. Twenty-five bats, mostly lactating females, were radio-tracked to 33 roost trees. Trees in unmanaged woodland were favoured as roost trees; woodland subject to limited logging was used in proportion to availability, and areas where open woodland and pasture occurred were avoided. Selection depended on tree condition (dead beech trees were preferred) and height (roost trees were taller than random ones). Cavity selection was based on cavity type, height and entrance direction: roost cavities were mainly beneath loose bark, at a greater height above ground and facing south more frequently than random cavities. Untouched areas of mature woodland should be preserved to provide roosting conditions for B. barbastellus. In logged areas, harvesting protocols should save dead and mature trees; frequent roost switching and small colony size imply that large numbers of roost trees are needed. |
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Keywords: | Barbastella barbastellus Bat Chiroptera Italy Roost selection Woodland management |
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