Ecosystem services are the benefits obtained from the environment that increase human well-being. Economic valuation is conducted by measuring the human welfare gains or losses that result from changes in the provision of ecosystem services. Bats have long been postulated to play important roles in arthropod suppression, seed dispersal, and pollination; however, only recently have these ecosystem services begun to be thoroughly evaluated. Here, we review the available literature on the ecological and economic impact of ecosystem services provided by bats. We describe dietary preferences, foraging behaviors, adaptations, and phylogenetic histories of insectivorous, frugivorous, and nectarivorous bats worldwide in the context of their respective ecosystem services. For each trophic ensemble, we discuss the consequences of these ecological interactions on both natural and agricultural systems. Throughout this review, we highlight the research needed to fully determine the ecosystem services in question. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of economic valuation of ecosystem services. Unfortunately, few studies estimating the economic value of ecosystem services provided by bats have been conducted to date; however, we outline a framework that could be used in future studies to more fully address this question. Consumptive goods provided by bats, such as food and guano, are often exchanged in markets where the market price indicates an economic value. Nonmarket valuation methods can be used to estimate the economic value of nonconsumptive services, including inputs to agricultural production and recreational activities. Information on the ecological and economic value of ecosystem services provided by bats can be used to inform decisions regarding where and when to protect or restore bat populations and associated habitats, as well as to improve public perception of bats.

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Knowledge of genetic structure is essential for the long-term management and conservation of endangered species. We report the results from a genetic examination of the federally endangered Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) sampled from its range in southern Florida, USA. Bonneted bats are primarily found in four regions separated by approximately 100 to 250 kms, including three western natural areas (BW, PC, and CC) and one urban population on the east coast [Miami-Dade County (MD)]. We used 22 microsatellite loci and cytochrome b sequences to assess the extent of connectivity and levels of genetic diversity. Regional populations were highly differentiated (FST = 0.178) and model-based and multivariate analyses showed that MD was the most distinct among pairwise comparisons. Regional populations are small (i.e., Ne < 100) but demographically stable. Estimates of contemporary migration and historic gene flow suggest that regional populations do not frequently exchange migrants, but simulations suggest that the divergence among western regions is likely a result of recent genetic drift rather than long-term isolation. Significantly, mitochondrial DNA revealed that haplotypes from MD were similar or shared with those recognized as Eumops ferox from Cuba and Jamaica, and divergent (1.5%) from the remainder of bonneted bats in Florida. Our data support the management of each of the four populations as distinct population segments, and that BW, PC and CC combined are on an independent evolutionary trajectory from bats in MD. Critically, bonneted bats in Florida appear to harbor cryptic diversity that will require a reassessment of their taxonomy.

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