Twelve
species of bats occur in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
forests of western Oregon and nine are known to roost in tree
cavities and crevices. Availability, distribution, and quality
of roosts are thought to be critical factors influencing population
size and distribution of some species of bats. Relationships of
spatial distribution and availability of habitat features (e.g.,
roost structures, watering sites) with community richness, abundance,
and use of habitat by bats are poorly understood. Further investigation
of these relationships could provide information to improve management
prescriptions for providing habitat for bats through space and
time.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the range of variation
in landscape 
conditions
(e.g., roost availability, percent riparian habitat, topographic
variables) and how bats respond to those conditions. Specifically,
this study will determine the influence of availability of
roosts on richness of bat communities and abundance of bats;
the types of structures (e.g., snag, downed log) used by female
and male western long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis),
female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), and female
big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), and if use of these
structures differs among species and landscape conditions;
and the characteristics of structures used as day-roosts by
bats and factors influencing selection of roosts at multiple
spatial scales.
Cooperators
in this study include Bat Conservation International, CFER, BLM,
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University, US Army Corps of
Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service (USFS),
Weyerhaeuser Company, and Willamette Industries.
For additional information about this research study see the CFER
Annual Report. (3.6 MB)
