Embarking on an exciting milestone in our study, our team has initiated data collection at multiple Lesser Horseshoe Bat roost sites across North Wales!
Earlier this month, we began the collection of various types of data at our selected LHB roosts. This stage of the BATMAN project comes after months of meticulous planning, developing methodological approaches to maximize data collection while minimizing disruption to our winged subjects! For faecal sample collection, innovative devices have been created which will allow large numbers of samples to be collected over both 24 hour periods, and 1 month periods. Concurrently, we've initiated the gathering of environmental data, ranging from temperature and humidity within the roosts to sky luminance outside. On top of that, cameras and ultrasonic microphones have been placed in the roosts, so we can not only see the behaviours of the bats, but also hear what they are saying!
But what are we hoping to do with all this data?
Soon, our focus will shift to the lab, where we'll meticulously analyse the faecal samples, primarily examining levels of cortisol and corticosterone, commonly known as "stress hormones." Through this analysis, we aim to gain insights into the overall welfare of each roost. Subsequently, we'll correlate this information with environmental data to assess the impact of various factors on roost health, while behavioural data may illuminate indicators of stress.
But why is this research so important? Understanding the physiological health and well-being of bats is paramount for their conservation and for maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystems they inhabit. Bats play pivotal roles in pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal, underscoring the significance of their well-being to biodiversity.
Be sure to stay tuned for updates as we delve deeper into the mysteries of wild bat monitoring through the lens of science and exploration!
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