Bat roosts in Tasmania’s production forest landscapes: importance of mature forest for maternity roosts
Lisa Cawthen
A B C F , Bradley Law D , Stewart C. Nicol A and Sarah Munks A B C E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Natural Sciences (formerly School of Zoology), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Forest Practices Authority, 30 Patrick Street, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
C Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
D NSW Primary Industries, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia.
E Centre for Forest Value, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: lcawthen@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Zoology - https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO20027
Submitted: 30 April 2020 Accepted: 19 May 2021 Published online: 23 June 2021
Abstract
Mature forest is a key resource for hollow-using bats, but its importance in shaping where bats roost during breeding is not well understood. This lack of understanding limits the ability of forest managers to make informed decisions on the type, amount and spatial arrangement of mature forest to retain for bats in areas used for timber production. Using radio-telemetry, day roosts of three sympatric hollow-using bat species – the chocolate wattled bat (Chalinolobus morio), the Tasmanian long-eared bat (Nyctophilus sherrini) and the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) – were located in two forested landscapes in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. By radio-tracking 24 bats in the maternity season, 76 roosts were located, with interspecific variation in roosting preferences evident at the roost, patch and landscape scale. Maternal colonies showed a clear selection for roosting in areas of the landscape containing the highest availability of mature forest, with smaller patches, strips and individual trees used to a greater extent for roosting in the landscape where mature forest was scarce. These findings showcase the importance of retaining mature forest at multiple spatial scales for hollow-using bats.
Keywords: hollow-using bat, logging, maternal, radiotracking, roost selection, sympatric, Tasmania, tree hollows, mature forest, timber production landscapes.
References
Aldridge, H. D. J. N., and Brigham, R. M. (1988). Load carrying and maneuverability in an insectivorous bat: a test of the 5% “rule” of radio-telemetry. Journal of Mammalogy 69, 379–382.| Load carrying and maneuverability in an insectivorous bat: a test of the 5% “rule” of radio-telemetry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baker, S. C., and Read, S. M. (2011). Variable retention silviculture in Tasmania’s wet forests: ecological rationale, adaptive management and synthesis of biodiversity benefits. Australian Forestry 74, 218–232.
| Variable retention silviculture in Tasmania’s wet forests: ecological rationale, adaptive management and synthesis of biodiversity benefits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Banks, S. C., Lindenmayer, D. B., Wood, J. T., McBurney, K., Blair, D., and Blyton, M. D. J. (2013). Can individual and social patterns of resource use buffer animal populations against resource decline? PLoS One 8, e53672.
| Can individual and social patterns of resource use buffer animal populations against resource decline?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23320100PubMed |
Boland, J. L., Hayes, J. P., Smith, W. P., and Huso, M. M. (2009). Selection of day-roosts by Keen’s myotis (Myotis keenii) at multiple spatial scales. Journal of Mammalogy 90, 222–234.
| Selection of day-roosts by Keen’s myotis (Myotis keenii) at multiple spatial scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Breiman, L (2001). Random Forests. Machine Learning 45, 5–32.
Campbell, S. P., Guay, P. J., Mitrovski, P. J., and Mulder, R. (2009). Genetic differentiation among populations of a specialist fishing bat suggests lack of suitable habitat connectivity. Biological Conservation 142, 2657–2664.
| Genetic differentiation among populations of a specialist fishing bat suggests lack of suitable habitat connectivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carter, T. C., and Feldhamer, G. A. (2005). Roost tree use by maternity colonies of Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats in southern Illinois. Forest Ecology and Management 219, 259–268.
| Roost tree use by maternity colonies of Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats in southern Illinois.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carver, B. D., and Ashley, N. (2008). Roost tree use by sympatric Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius). American Midland Naturalist 160, 364–373.
| Roost tree use by sympatric Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cawthen, L., and Munks, S. (2011). The use of hollow-bearing trees retained in multi-aged regenerating production forest by the Tasmanian common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus) Wildlife Research 38, 687–695.
| The use of hollow-bearing trees retained in multi-aged regenerating production forest by the Tasmanian common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus)Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Driessen, M., Brereton, R., and Pauza, P. (2011). Status and conservation of Tasmanian bats. In ‘The Biology and Conservation of Australasian Bats’. (Eds B. Law, P. Eby, D. Lunney, and L. Lumsden.) pp. 324–336. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)
Forest Practices Authority (2005). Forest Botany Manual Module 4, Freycinet Region. Forest Practices Authority, Tasmania.
Forest Practices Authority (2012). State of the forests, Tasmania 2012. Forest Practices Authority, Tasmania.
Forest Practices Board (2000). Forest Practices Code. Forest Practices Authority, Hobart.
Frick, W. F., Kingston, T., and Flanders, J. (2020). A review of the major threats and challenges to global bat conservation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1469, 5–25.
| A review of the major threats and challenges to global bat conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30937915PubMed |
Gibbons, P., and Lindenmayer, D. (2002). ‘Tree Hollows and Wildlife Conservation in Australia.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.)
Goldingay, R. (2009). Characteristics of tree hollows used by Australian birds and bats. Wildlife Research 36, 394–409.
| Characteristics of tree hollows used by Australian birds and bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koch, A. J. (2008). Errors associated with two methods of assessing tree hollow occurrence and abundance in Eucalyptus obliqua forest, Tasmania. Forest Ecology and Management 255, 674–685.
| Errors associated with two methods of assessing tree hollow occurrence and abundance in Eucalyptus obliqua forest, Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koch, A. J., Munks, S. A., and Woehler, E. J. (2008). Hollow-using vertebrate fauna of Tasmania: distribution, hollow requirements and conservation status. Australian Journal of Zoology 56, 323–349.
| Hollow-using vertebrate fauna of Tasmania: distribution, hollow requirements and conservation status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koch, A. J., Webb, M., Cawthen, L., Livingston, D., and Munks, S. A. (2018). Managing mature forest features: the production, accuracy and ecological relevance of a landscape scale map. Ecological Management & Restoration 19, 247–256.
| Managing mature forest features: the production, accuracy and ecological relevance of a landscape scale map.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kroll, A. J., Duke, S. D., Hane, M. E., Johnson, J. R., Rochelle, M., Betts, M. G., and Arnett, E. B. (2012). Landscape composition influences avian colonization of experimentally created snags. Biological Conservation 152, 145–151.
| Landscape composition influences avian colonization of experimentally created snags.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kunz, T. H., and Lumsden, L. (2003). Ecology of cavity and foliage roosting bats. In ‘Bat Ecology’. (Eds T. H. Kunz, and M. B. Fenton.) pp. 3–89. (The University of Chicago Press: Chicago and London.)
Law, B. S., and Anderson, J. (2000). Roost preferences and foraging ranges of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus under two disturbance histories in northern New South Wales, Australia. Austral Ecology 25, 352–367.
| Roost preferences and foraging ranges of the eastern forest bat Vespadelus pumilus under two disturbance histories in northern New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law, B., Park, K. J., and Lacki, M. J. (2016). Insectivorous bats and silviculture: balancing timber production and bat conservation. In ‘Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World’. (Eds C. C. Voigt, and T. Kingston.) pp. 105–150. (Springer Nature.)
Lindenmayer, D. B., and Franklin, J. F. (2002). ‘Conserving Forest Biodiversity – A Comprehensive Multiscaled Approach.’ (Island Press: London.)
Lindenmayer, D. B., Welsh, A., Donnelly, C. F., and Cunningham, R. B. (1996). Use of nest trees by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia). 2. Characteristics of occupied trees. Wildlife Research 23, 531–545.
| Use of nest trees by the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia). 2. Characteristics of occupied trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lohmus, A., and Remm, J. (2005). Nest quality limts the number of hole-nesting passerines in their natural cavity-rich habitat. Acta Oecologica 27, 125–128.
| Nest quality limts the number of hole-nesting passerines in their natural cavity-rich habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Loyn, R. H., and Kennedy, S. J. (2009). Designing old forest for the future: old trees as habitat for birds in forests of mountain ash Eucalyptus regnans. Forest Ecology and Management 258, 504–515.
| Designing old forest for the future: old trees as habitat for birds in forests of mountain ash Eucalyptus regnans.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lumsden, L., and Bennett, A. F. (2006). Flexibility and specificity in the roosting ecology of the lesser long-eared bat, Nyctophilus geoffroyi: a common and widespread Australian species. In ‘Functional and Evolutionary Ecology of Bats’. (Eds A. Zubaid, G. F. McCracken, and T. H. Kunz.) pp. 290–307. (Oxford University Press: New York.)
Lumsden, K. F., Bennett, A. F., and Silins, J. E. (2002). 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 |
Lunney, D., Barker, J., and Priddel, D. (1985). Movements and day roosts of the chocolate wattled bat Chalinolobus morio (Gray) (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in a logged forest. Australian Mammalogy 8, 313–317.
Lunney, D., Barker, J., Priddel, D., and O’Connel, M. (1988). Roost selection by Gould’s long-eared bat, Nyctophilus gouldi Tomes (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in logged forest on the south coast of New South Wales. Australian Wildlife Research 15, 375–384.
| Roost selection by Gould’s long-eared bat, Nyctophilus gouldi Tomes (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in logged forest on the south coast of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martin, J. K., and Handasyde, K. A. (2007). Comparison of bobuck (Trichosurus cunninghami) demography in two habitat types in the Strathbogie Ranges Australian Journal of Zoology 271, 375–385.
| Comparison of bobuck (Trichosurus cunninghami) demography in two habitat types in the Strathbogie RangesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazerolle, M. J., and Villard, M. A. (1999). Patch characteristics and landscape context as predictors of species presence and abundance: a review. Ecoscience 6, 117–124.
| Patch characteristics and landscape context as predictors of species presence and abundance: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazurek, M. J., and Zielinkski, W. J. (2004). Individual legacy trees influence vertebrate wildlife diversity in commercial forests. Forest Ecology and Management 193, 321–334.
| Individual legacy trees influence vertebrate wildlife diversity in commercial forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McComb, W. C., and Noble, R. E. (1982). Invertebrate use of natural tree cavities and vertebrate nest boxes. American Midland Naturalist 107, 163–172.
| Invertebrate use of natural tree cavities and vertebrate nest boxes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miles, A. C., Castleberry, S. B., Miller, D. A., and Conner, L. M. (2006). Multi-scale roost-site selection by evening bats on pine-dominated landscapes in southwest Georgia. Journal of Wildlife Management 70, 1191–1199.
| Multi-scale roost-site selection by evening bats on pine-dominated landscapes in southwest Georgia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Munks, S., Richards, K., Meggs, J., and Breteton, R. (2004). The importance of adaptive management in ‘off-reserve’ conservation for forest fauna: implementing, monitoring and upgrading swift parrot Lathamus discolor conservation measures in Tasmania. In ‘Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna’. (Ed. D. Lunney.) pp. 688–698. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman.)
Munks, S., Wapstra, M., Corkley, R., Otley, H., Miller, G., and Walker, B. (2007). The occurence of potential tree hollows in the dry eucalypt forests of south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. Australian Zoologist 34, 22–36.
| The occurence of potential tree hollows in the dry eucalypt forests of south-eastern Tasmania, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Munks, S. A., Koch, A. J., and Wapstra, M. (2009). From guiding principles for the conservation of forest biodiversity to on-ground practice: lessons from tree hollow management in Tasmania. Forest Ecology and Management 258, 516–524.
| From guiding principles for the conservation of forest biodiversity to on-ground practice: lessons from tree hollow management in Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newton, I. (1994). The role of nest sites in limiting the numbers of hole-nesting birds: a review. Biological Conservation 70, 265–276.
| The role of nest sites in limiting the numbers of hole-nesting birds: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Neill, M., and Taylor, R. (1986). Observations on the flight patterns and foraging behaviour of Tasmanian bats. Australian Wildlife Research 13, 427–432.
| Observations on the flight patterns and foraging behaviour of Tasmanian bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parnaby, H. E. (2009). A taxonomic review of Australian greater long-eared bats previously known as Nyctophilus timoriensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and some associated taxa. Australian Zoologist 35, 39–81.
| A taxonomic review of Australian greater long-eared bats previously known as Nyctophilus timoriensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and some associated taxa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pattanavibool, A., and Edge, W. D. (1996). Single-tree selection silviculture affects cavity resources in mixed deciduous forests in Thailand. Journal of Wildlife Management 60, 67–73.
| Single-tree selection silviculture affects cavity resources in mixed deciduous forests in Thailand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perry, R. W., and Thill, R. E. (2007). Tree roosting by male and female eastern pipistrelles in a forested landscape. Journal of Mammalogy 88, 974–981.
| Tree roosting by male and female eastern pipistrelles in a forested landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perry, R. W., Thill, R. E., and Lesklie, D. M. (2007). Selection of roosting habitat by forest bats in a diverse forested landscape. Forest Ecology and Management 238, 156–166.
| Selection of roosting habitat by forest bats in a diverse forested landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perry, R. W., Thill, R. E., and Leslie, D. M. (2008). Scale-dependent effects of landscape structure and composition on diurnal roost selection by forest bats. Journal of Wildlife Management 72, 913–925.
| Scale-dependent effects of landscape structure and composition on diurnal roost selection by forest bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Development Core Team (2011). R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. Available at https://www.r-project.org/
Rhind, S. G. (2004). Direct impacts of logging and forest management on the brush-tailed phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa and other arboreal marsupials in a jarrah forest of Western Australia. In ‘Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna’. (Ed. D. Lunney.) pp. 639–655. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman.)
Ruczynski, I., and Bogdanowicz, W. (2008). Summer roost selection by tree-dwelling bats Nyctalus noctula and N. leisleri: a multiscale analysis. Journal of Mammalogy 89, 942–951.
| Summer roost selection by tree-dwelling bats Nyctalus noctula and N. leisleri: a multiscale analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rueegger, N., Law, B., and Goldingay, R. (2018). Interspecific differences and commonalities in maternity roosting by tree cavity-roosting bats over a maternity season in a timber production landscape. PLoS One 13, e0194429.
| Interspecific differences and commonalities in maternity roosting by tree cavity-roosting bats over a maternity season in a timber production landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29543883PubMed |
Russo, D., Cistrone, L., Garonna, A. P., and Jones, G. (2010). Reconsidering the importance of harvested forests for the conservation of tree-dwelling bats. Biodiversity and Conservation 19, 2501–2515.
| Reconsidering the importance of harvested forests for the conservation of tree-dwelling bats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sedgeley, J. A. (2003). Roost site selection and roosting behaviour in lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata) in comparison with long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) in Nothofagus forest, Fiordland. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 30, 227–241.
| Roost site selection and roosting behaviour in lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata) in comparison with long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) in Nothofagus forest, Fiordland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, R. J. (1991). Fauna management practices in State forests in Tasmania. In ‘Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna’ (Ed. D. Lunney.) pp. 260–263. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman.)
Taylor, R., and Savva, N. (1988). Use of roost sites by four species of bats in state forest in south-eastern Tasmania. Australian Wildlife Research 15, 637–645.
| Use of roost sites by four species of bats in state forest in south-eastern Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Threlfall, C. G., Law, B., and Banks, P. B. (2013). Roost selection in suburban bushland by the urban sensitive bat Nyctophilus gouldi. Journal of Mammalogy 94, 307–319.
| Roost selection in suburban bushland by the urban sensitive bat Nyctophilus gouldi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., and Smith, R. F. C. (1969). Studies on the marsupial glider, Schoinobates volans (Kerr): III. Response to habitat destruction. Journal of Animal Ecology 38, 651–659.
| Studies on the marsupial glider, Schoinobates volans (Kerr): III. Response to habitat destruction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Waldien, D. L., Hayes, J. P., and Arnett, E. B. (2000). Day-roosts of female long-eared myotis in western Oregon. Journal of Wildlife Management 64, 785–796.
| Day-roosts of female long-eared myotis in western Oregon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webala, P. W., Craig, M. D., Law, B. S., Wayne, A. F., and Bradley, J. S. (2010). Roost site selection by southern forest bat Vespadelus regulus and Gould’s long-eared bat Nyctophilus gouldi in logged jarrah forests; south-western Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 260, 1780–1790.
| Roost site selection by southern forest bat Vespadelus regulus and Gould’s long-eared bat Nyctophilus gouldi in logged jarrah forests; south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webala, P. W., Craig, M. D., Law, B. S., Armstrong, K. N., Wayne, A. F., and Bradley, J. S. (2011). Bat habitat use in logged jarrah eucalypt forests of south-western Australia. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 398–406.
| Bat habitat use in logged jarrah eucalypt forests of south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webb, J. K., and Shine, R. (1997). Out on a limb: conservation implications of tree-hollow use by a threatened snake species (Hoplocephalus bungaroides: Serpentes, Elapidae). Biological Conservation 81, 21–33.
| Out on a limb: conservation implications of tree-hollow use by a threatened snake species (Hoplocephalus bungaroides: Serpentes, Elapidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitford, K. R. (2002). Hollows in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees. I. Hollow sizes, tree attributes and ages Forest Ecology and Management 160, 201–214.
| Hollows in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees. I. Hollow sizes, tree attributes and agesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitford, K., and Stone, M. (2004). Management of tree hollows in the jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest of Western Australia. In ‘Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna’. (Ed. D. Lunney.) pp. 807–829. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman.)
Wilkinson, G. (1994). ‘Silvicultural Systems.’ (Forestry Tasmania: Hobart.)
Wiltshire, R., and Potts, B. (2007). ‘EucaFlip – Life-size Guide to the Eucalypts of Tasmania.’ (University of Tasmania: Hobart.)
