Abstract
The only mammals capable of powered flight, bats exhibit remarkable ecological diversity and are found across all continents except Antarctica. There are nearly 1,500 bat species known, comprising 20% of all mammalian diversity. New species are described each year, especially in biodiverse regions of equatorial Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Many bat species are threatened by human-induced forces of change. Habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture, persecution, hunting, urbanization, energy production, and climate change are among the leading threats to bat species globally.
Bat migration takes several forms, including long-distance movements within a country and across political borders. Because bats are typically nocturnal and hard to track, migratory movements of most species remain poorly documented. Identifying migratory pathways and seasonal movement patterns is crucial for global bat conservation. Some threats, such as mortality at wind energy facilities, pose a higher risk to bats when they are migrating. Mapping migratory pathways can highlight key habitats to prioritize for protection. Preserving habitat patches as ecological stepping stones along extended routes helps bats fuel their journeys and provides roosting sites. Understanding when species migrate along narrow corridors or with a dispersed broad-front pattern informs both habitat protection and the breadth of conservation strategies required for protection. And documenting the seasonal timing of species’ migration can focus efforts to avoid collisions with wind energy turbines.
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