Utilizing Acoustic Methods to Identify Bat Species, and to Assess Their Habitat Use and Perception of Owls

The Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio is important because this area is home to more rare plant and animal species than any other similarly sized area in Ohio. Increasing our knowledge about bats, a vulnerable taxon, in this diverse region is critical due to a decline in bat populations caused by habitat loss and fragmentation, wind energy, and White-nose Syndrome. To address this need my thesis research was focused on: 1) comparing the effectiveness of bat acoustic identification programs; 2) monitoring habitat utilization; and 3) assessing how bats perceive owls. I acoustically surveyed for bats using an Anabat detector to determine the presence of bat species within a protected area of the Oak Openings Region. I identified the files to species then compared my identification to those of two identification programs. Each program was consistent in its identification and they performed similarly. The identification programs are effective in speeding up analysis, but can produce false positives for the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). Therefore, files should be double checked by an expert before identification is made final. For the second aspect of my research, I utilized the files I recorded with the Anabat system and analyzed the type of habitat (open or forest) in which each species was most often recorded. Overall bat activity was greatest in open sites, but this varied by species. Additionally, I conducted a few surveys from sunset to sunrise to monitor changes in activity levels during the night as well as potential habitat changes throughout the night. Lastly, I used Anabat detectors to record the amount of bat activity in responses to owl calls. Little research has been done on this interaction and it is thought that foraging bats compose a small portion of owl’s diets. From this study, I found bat activity to be unchanged by any of owl species calls or a treatment of ambient nocturnal noise, suggesting that bat activity is not altered by the presence of owls.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Bowling Green State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Janos, Gregg A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Root, Karen

• Conservation
• Ecology
• Bats
• Owls
• Acoustic Identification, Oak Openings Region, Predation Risk

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363428258

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:bgsu1363428258