Do young eucalypt plantations benefit bats in an intensive agricultural landscape?
Bradley S. Law A B , Mark Chidel A and Trent Penman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Forest Science Centre, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 100, Beecroft, NSW 2119, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: brad.law@industry.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 38(3) 173-187 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR10204
Submitted: 9 November 2010 Accepted: 17 March 2011 Published: 13 July 2011
Abstract
Context: Environmental benefits of timber plantations have been a major selling point for land use change from previously cleared farmland, but data concerning the response of biodiversity are scarce.
Aims: We investigated the use of young (4–11 years old) timber plantations by bats in comparison with other vegetation classes in a highly cleared and productive agricultural landscape in north-west New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Methods: Initially, we recorded activity in paddocks before plantation establishment, and then four to six years after establishment. We compared activity within young eucalypt plantations with surrounding paddocks and remnant woodland. We also radio-tracked four different bat species to investigate how roosting and foraging was apportioned into different habitats.
Key results: The ultrasonic survey of bats found that the young plantations were typically used by 7–8 species and activity averaged 87 passes per night. Activity within plantations was similar to treeless paddocks, and approximately six times less than in small remnants. The very high activity levels and feeding buzzes in small remnants was significantly related to rich, basalt soil (which was used as a proxy for invertebrate biomass) on agricultural plains. Total activity and species richness was correlated positively with the number of remnant trees on the site, but neither plantation area nor shape influenced bat activity. Plantations were not used preferentially by radio-tracked bats at night compared with their availability in the local landscape (13–14% bat use, 17% available). No bat roosts were located within the plantations. Most bat roosts were in tree hollows, which were absent in the plantations. Decorticating bark was abundant in eucalypt plantations, but only Nyctophilus geoffroyi was observed beneath bark and only in remnant trees outside of plantations.
Conclusions: Young eucalypt plantations have limited value for bats, and this is comparable to previous studies on more environmentally focussed plantings.
Implications: The value of plantations for bats would be improved by retaining remnant trees, both in the surrounding landscape and within plantations. We also recommend varying tree densities to increase the diversity of animal species using plantations.
Additional keywords: foraging, radio-tracking, restoration, roosts, ultrasonic detectors.
References
Adams, M., Law, B., and Gibson, M. (2010). Reliable automation of bat call identification for eastern New South Wales, Australia, using classification trees and Anascheme software. Acta Chiropterologica 12, 231–245.Akaike, H. (1973). Information theory as an extension of the maximum likelihood principle. In ‘Second International Symposium on Information Theory’. (Eds B. N. Petrov and F. Csaki.) pp. 267–281. (Akademiai Kiado: Budapest.)
Aldridge, H. D. J. N., and Brigham, R. M. (1988). Load carrying and manoeuvrability in an insectivorous bat: a test of the 5% ‘rule’ of radio telemetry. Journal of Mammalogy 69, 379–383.
Aldridge, H. D. J. N., and Rautenbach, I. L. (1987). Morphology, xecholocation and resource partitioning in insectivorous bats. Journal of Animal Ecology 56, 763–778.
Bekessy, S. A., and Wintle, B. A. (2008). Using carbon investment to grow the biodiversity bank. Conservation Biology 22, 510–513.
| Using carbon investment to grow the biodiversity bank.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18577079PubMed |
Bennett, A., Kimber, S., and Ryan, P. (2000). Revegetation and wildlife: a guide to enhancing revegetated habitats for wildlife conservation in rural environments. Bushcare – National Projects Research and Development Program, Environment Australia Research Report 2/00, Canberra.
Brigham, R. M., Francis, R. L., and Hamdorf, S. (1997). Microhabitat use by two species of Nyctophilus bats: a test of ecomorphology theory. Australian Journal of Zoology 45, 553–560.
| Microhabitat use by two species of Nyctophilus bats: a test of ecomorphology theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brockerhoff, B. G., Jactel, H., Parrotta, J. A., Quine, C. P., and Sayer, J. (2008). Plantation forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity? Biodiversity and Conservation 17, 925–951.
| Plantation forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brower, J. E., Zar, J. H., and von Ende, C. N. (1990). ‘Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology.’ (Wm. C. Brown Publishers: IA.)
Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002). ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: a Practical Information-Theoretic Approach.’ (Springer: NY.)
Campbell, S., Lumsden, L., Kirkwood, R., and Coulson, G. (2005). Day roost selection by female little forest bats (Vespadelus vulturnus) within remnant woodland on Phillip Island, Victoria. Wildlife Research 32, 183–191.
| Day roost selection by female little forest bats (Vespadelus vulturnus) within remnant woodland on Phillip Island, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Churchill, S. (2008). ‘Australian Bats.’ (New Holland Publishers: Sydney.)
Clarke, K. R. (1993). Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18, 117–143.
Clarke, K. R., and Gorley, R. N. (2006). ‘PRIMER v6, User Manual/Tutorial.’ (Primer-E Ltd: Plymouth, UK.)
Cunningham, R. B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Crane, M., Michael, D., and MacGregor, C. (2007). Reptile and arboreal marsupial response to replanted vegetation in agricultural landscapes. Ecological Applications 17, 609–619.
| Reptile and arboreal marsupial response to replanted vegetation in agricultural landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17489264PubMed |
Erickson, J. L., and West, S. D. (2003). Associations of bats with local structure and landscape features of forested stands in western Oregon and Washington. Biological Conservation 109, 95–102.
Fischer, J., Stott, J., Law, B., Adams, M., and Forrester, R. I. (2009). Designing effective habitat studies: quantifying multiple sources of variability in bat activity. Acta Chiropterologica 11, 127–137.
| Designing effective habitat studies: quantifying multiple sources of variability in bat activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fischer, J., Stott, J., and Law, B. S. (2010). The disproportionate value of scattered trees. Biological Conservation 143, 1564–1567.
Forrester, D. I., Bauhaus, J., and Cowie, A. L. (2005). On the success and failure of mixed-species tree plantations: lessons learned from a model system of Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia mearnsii. Forest Ecology and Management 209, 147–155.
| On the success and failure of mixed-species tree plantations: lessons learned from a model system of Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia mearnsii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gibson, M., and Lumsden, L. (2003). The AnaScheme automated bat call identification system. The Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 20, 24–26.
Haddad, N. M., Haarstad, J., and Tilman, D. (2000). The effects of long-term nitrogen loading on grassland insect communities. Oecologia 124, 73–84.
| The effects of long-term nitrogen loading on grassland insect communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hobbs, R. J. (1993). Can revegetation assist in the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural areas? Pacific Conservation Biology 1, 29–38.
Hobbs, R., Catling, P.C., Wombey, J. C., Clayton, M., Atkins, L., and Reid, A. (2003). Faunal use of bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantations in southwestern Australia. Agroforestry Systems 58, 195–212.
Kanowski, J., Catterall, C. P., and Wardell-Johnson, G. W. (2005). Consequences of broadscale timber plantations for biodiversity in cleared rainforest landscapes of tropical and subtropical Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 208, 359–372.
| Consequences of broadscale timber plantations for biodiversity in cleared rainforest landscapes of tropical and subtropical Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kavanagh, R., Law, B., Lemckert, F., Stanton, M., Chidel, M., Brassil, T., Towerton, A., and Herring, M. (2005). Biodiversity in eucalypt plantings established to reduce salinity. Report No. 05/165 to the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program. (RIRDC: Canberra.) Available at http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/AFT/05-165.pdf [accessed September 2010].
Kavanagh, R. P., Stanton, M. A., and Herring, M. W. (2007). Eucalypt plantings on farms benefit woodland birds in south-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 32, 635–650.
| Eucalypt plantings on farms benefit woodland birds in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kavanagh R. Law B. Lemckert F. Stanton M. Chidel M. Brassil T. Towerton A. Penman T. 2010
Kinross, C. (2004). Avian use of farm habitats, including windbreaks, on the New South Wales Tablelands. Pacific Conservation Biology 10, 180–192.
Koch, A. J., Munks, S. A., and Spencer, C. (2009). Bird use of native trees retained in young eucalypt plantations: species richness and use of hollows. Wildlife Research 36, 581–591.
| Bird use of native trees retained in young eucalypt plantations: species richness and use of hollows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Körtner, G., and Geiser, F. (1998). Ecology of natural hibernation in the marsupial mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus). Oecologia 113, 170–178.
| Ecology of natural hibernation in the marsupial mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Landsberg, J. R., and Gillieson, D. S. (1995). Regional and local variation in insect herbivory, vegetation and soils of eucalypt associations in contrasted landscape positions along a climate gradient. Australian Journal of Ecology 20, 299–315.
| Regional and local variation in insect herbivory, vegetation and soils of eucalypt associations in contrasted landscape positions along a climate gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B. S., and Anderson, J. (2000). Roost preferences and foraging ranges of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus under two disturbance histories on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Austral Ecology 25, 352–367.
| Roost preferences and foraging ranges of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus under two disturbance histories on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B. S., and Chidel, M. (2002). Tracks and riparian zones facilitate the use of Australian regrowth forest by insectivorous bats. Journal of Applied Ecology 39, 605–617.
| Tracks and riparian zones facilitate the use of Australian regrowth forest by insectivorous bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B. S., and Chidel, M. (2006). Eucalypt plantings on farms: use by insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 133, 236–249.
| Eucalypt plantings on farms: use by insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B. S., Anderson, J., and Chidel, M. (1998). A survey of bats on the south-west slopes region of NSW with suggestions of improvements for bat surveys. Australian Zoologist 30, 467–479.
Law, B. S., Anderson, J., and Chidel, M. (1999). Bat communities in a fragmented forest landscape on the south-west slopes of New South Wales, Australia. Biological Conservation 88, 333–345.
| Bat communities in a fragmented forest landscape on the south-west slopes of New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B. S., Chidel, M., and Turner, G. (2000). The use by wildlife of paddock trees in farmland. Pacific Conservation Biology 6, 130–143.
Lindenmayer, D. B., and Hobbs, R. (2004). Fauna conservation in Australian plantation forests – a review. Biological Conservation 119, 151–168.
| Fauna conservation in Australian plantation forests – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lloyd, A., Law, B., and Goldingay, R. (2006). Bat activity on riparian zones and upper slopes in Australian timber production forests and the effectiveness of riparian buffers. Biological Conservation 129, 207–220.
| Bat activity on riparian zones and upper slopes in Australian timber production forests and the effectiveness of riparian buffers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Loyn, R. H., McNabb, E. G., Macak, P., and Noble, P. (2007). Eucalypt plantations as habitat for birds on previously cleared farmland in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 137, 533–548.
Lumsden, L. F., and Bennett, A. F. (2005). Scattered trees in rural landscapes: foraging habitat for insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 122, 205–222.
| Scattered trees in rural landscapes: foraging habitat for insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lumsden, L. F., Bennett, A. F., and Silins, J. E. (2002a). Location of roosts of the lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Gould’s wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 106, 237–249.
| Location of roosts of the lesser long-eared bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi and Gould’s wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldii in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lumsden, L. F., Bennett, A. F., and Silins, J. E. (2002b). Selection of roost sites by the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould’s wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) in south-eastern Australia. Journal of Zoology 257, 207–218.
| Selection of roost sites by the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould’s wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mackowski, C. M. (1984). The ontogeny of hollows in Blackbutt, Eucalyptus pilularis and its relevance to the management of forests for possums, gliders and timber. In ‘Possums and Gliders’. (Eds A. P. Smith and I. D. Hume.) pp. 517–525. (Surrey Beatty and Sons: Sydney.)
Marsden, S. J., Whiffin, M., and Galetti, M. (2001). Bird diversity and abundance in forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations around an Atlantic forest reserve, Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 10, 737–751.
| Bird diversity and abundance in forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations around an Atlantic forest reserve, Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martin, W. K., Eyears-Chaddock, M., Wilson, B. R., and Lemon, J. (2004). The value of habitat reconstruction to birds at Gunnedah, New South Wales. Emu 104, 177–189.
| The value of habitat reconstruction to birds at Gunnedah, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKenzie, N. L., Start, A. N., and Bullen, R. D. (2002). Foraging ecology and organisation of a desert bat fauna. Australian Journal of Zoology 50, 529–548.
| Foraging ecology and organisation of a desert bat fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller, D. A., Arnett, E. B., and Lacki, M. J. (2003). Habitat management for forest-roosting bats of North America: a critical review of habitat studies. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, 30–44.
Munro, N. T., Lindenmayer, D. B., and Fischer, J. (2007). Faunal response to revegetation in agricultural areas of Australia: a review. Ecological Management & Restoration 8, 199–207.
| Faunal response to revegetation in agricultural areas of Australia: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Munro, N. T., Fischer, J., Wood, J., and Lindenmayer, D. B. (2009). Revegetation in agricultural areas: the development of structural complexity and floristic diversity. Ecological Applications 19, 1197–1210.
| 19688927PubMed |
Neu, C. W., Byers, C. R., and Peek, D. J. M. (1974). A technique or analysis of utilization availability data. Journal of Wildlife Management 38, 541–545.
O’Neill, M. G., and Taylor, R. J. (1986). Observations on flight patterns and foraging behaviour of Tasmanian bats. Australian Wildlife Research 13, 427–432.
| Observations on flight patterns and foraging behaviour of Tasmanian bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons, S. (1996). A comparison of the performance of a brand of broad-band and several brands of narrow-band bat detectors in two different habitat types. Bioacoustics 7, 33–43.
Patriquin, K. P., Hogberg, L. K., Chruszcz, B. J., and Barclay, R. M. R. (2003). The influence of habitat structure on the ability to detect ultrasound using bat detectors. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, 475–481.
Pennay, M., and Gosper, C. (2002). ‘Brigalow Belt South Stage 2 Vertebrate Fauna Survey, Analysis and Modelling Projects.’ (Planning NSW, Resource and Conservation Division: Sydney.)
Pennay, M., Law, B., and Reinhold, L. (2004). ‘Bat Calls of NSW: Region Based Guide to the Echolocation Calls of Microchiropteran Bats.’ (NSW Dept. Environment and Conservation: Hurstville, NSW.)
Rhodes, M. P. (2002). Assessment of sources of variance and patterns of overlap in microchiropteran wing morphology in southeast Queensland, Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, 450–460.
Reinhold, L., Law, B., Ford, G., and Pennay, M. (2001). Key to the bat calls of south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. Forest Ecosystem Research and Assessment Technical Paper 2001–07. (Department of Natural Resources and Mines: Queensland.)
Saunders, D. A., and Hobbs, R. J. (1995). Habitat reconstruction: the revegetation imperative. In ‘Conserving Biodiversity: Threats and Solutions’. (Eds R. A. Bradstock, T. D. Auld, D. A. Keith, R. T. Kingsford, D. Lunney and D. P. Sivertsen.) pp. 104–112. (Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton, NSW.)
Schnitzler, H.-U., Moss, C. F., and Denzinger, A. (2003). From spatial orientation to food acquisition in echolocating bats. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18, 386–394.
| From spatial orientation to food acquisition in echolocating bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Selwood, K., MacNally, R., and Thomson, J. R. (2009). Native bird breeding in a chronosequence of revegetated sites. Oecologia 159, 435–446.
| 19023600PubMed |
Smith, G. C., and Agnew, G. (2002). The value of ‘bat boxes’ for attracting hollow-dependent fauna to farm forestry plantations in southeast Queensland. Ecological Management & Restoration 3, 37–46.
| The value of ‘bat boxes’ for attracting hollow-dependent fauna to farm forestry plantations in southeast Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stephens, S. S., and Wagner, M. R. (2007). Forest plantations and biodiversity: a fresh perspective. Journal of Forestry 105, 307–313.
Thomson, J. R., Moilanen, A. J., Vesk, P. A., Bennett, A. F., and MacNally, R. (2010). Where and when to revegetate: a quantitative method for scheduling landscape reconstruction. Ecological Applications 19, 817–828.
Threlfall, C., Law, B. S., Penman, T., and Banks, P. R. (2011). Ecological processes in urban landscapes: mechanisms influencing the distribution and activity of insectivorous bats. Ecography , .
| Ecological processes in urban landscapes: mechanisms influencing the distribution and activity of insectivorous bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tidemann, C. R., and Flavel, S. C. (1987). Factors affecting choice of diurnal roost site by tree-hole bats (Microchiroptera) in south-eastern Australia. Australian Wildlife Research 14, 459–473.
| Factors affecting choice of diurnal roost site by tree-hole bats (Microchiroptera) in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Turbill, C. (2006). Roosting and thermoregulatory behaviour of male Gould’s long-eared bats Nyctophilus gouldi: energetic benefits of thermally unstable tree roosts. Australian Journal of Zoology 54, 57–60.
| Roosting and thermoregulatory behaviour of male Gould’s long-eared bats Nyctophilus gouldi: energetic benefits of thermally unstable tree roosts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Turbill, C., and Ellis, M. (2006). Distribution and abundance of the south-eastern form of the greater long-eared bat Nyctophilus timoriensis. Australian Mammalogy 28, 1–6.
| Distribution and abundance of the south-eastern form of the greater long-eared bat Nyctophilus timoriensis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Turbill, C., and Geiser, F. (2008). Hibernation by tree-roosting bats. Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 178, 597–605.
| Hibernation by tree-roosting bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18210129PubMed |
Vesk, P., and MacNally, R. (2006). The clock is ticking – revegetation and habitat for birds and arboreal mammals in rural landscapes of southern Australia. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 112, 356–366.
| The clock is ticking – revegetation and habitat for birds and arboreal mammals in rural landscapes of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vesk, P. A., Nolan, R., Thomson, J. R., Dorrough, J. W., and MacNally, R. (2008). Time lags in provision of habitat resources through revegetation. Biological Conservation 141, 174–186.
| Time lags in provision of habitat resources through revegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walsh, P., Montagu, K., Royal, B., and Dobson, S. (2005). Targeting planted forests for dryland salinity control: background to the operational scale tree planting pilot project and the associated research trials on the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales. Technical Paper No. 69. (Forest Resources Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries: Sydney.)
