Activity of pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and Natterer's bats (Myotis nattereri) over lowland heathland

摘要

Bats and lowland heathland are two subjects of high conservation priority in Britain. However, the interaction of the two i.e. the value of lowland heathland to bats is poorly understood. This study was an attempt to quantify the importance of lowland heathland in the English Midlands to two common vespertilionid bat species, the pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and the Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri). A bat detector survey was conducted over a series of nights during the summer of 1998 by walking transects on a remnant heathland in north-west Leicestershire. The data obtained suggest that lowland heathland is of lower value to bats than woodland interior, woodland edge and open water environments. Only 9% of total bat passes were detected over heathland. P. pipistrellus was found to favour open rides within the woodland whilst M. nattereri exhibited a preference for both woodland and open water environments. Where heathlands are being restored and have conifer plantations or regenerating scrub, there may be a particular conflict. In areas with known bat roosts the possibly detrimental effects of plantation removal as part of heathland re-creation and scrub clearance as part of heathland management should be considered by environmental managers. These practices could result in the loss of foraging habitat and commuting routes.