Habitat composition and connectivity predicts bat presence and activity at foraging sites in a large UK conurbation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Urbanization is characterized by high levels of sealed land-cover, and small, geometrically complex, fragmented land-use patches. The extent and density of urbanized land-use is increasing, with implications for habitat quality, connectivity and city ecology. Little is known about densification thresholds for urban ecosystem function, and the response of mammals, nocturnal and cryptic taxa are poorly studied in this respect. Bats (Chiroptera) are sensitive to changing urban form at a species, guild and community level, so are ideal model organisms for analyses of this nature.

Methodology/principal findings

We surveyed bats around urban ponds in the West Midlands conurbation, United Kingdom (UK). Sites were stratified between five urban land classes, representing a

SUBMITTER: Hale JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3299780 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature