Use of predictive distribution models to describe habitat selection by bats in Colorado, USA

Abstract

Numerous processes operating at landscape scales threaten bats (e.g., habitat loss, disease). Temperate bat species are rarely examined at commensurate scales because of logistical and modeling constraints. Recent modeling approaches now allow for presenceonly datasets, like those often available for bats, to assist with the development of predictive distribution models. We describe the use of presence-only data and rigorous predictive distribution models to examine habitat selection by bats across Colorado, USA.We applied hierarchical Bayesian models to bat locations from 1906-2018 to examine relationships of 13 species with landscape covariates. We considered differences in type of activity (foraging, roosting, hibernation), seasonality (summer vs. winter), and scale (1, 5, 10, and 15-km buffers). These findings generated statewide probability of use models to guide management of bat species in response to threats (e.g., white-nose syndrome [WNS]). Analysis of buffers suggest selection of land cover and environmental covariates occurs at different scales depending on the species and activity. Pinyon (Pinus spp.)-juniper (Juniperus spp.) appeared as a positive association in the highest number of models, followed by montane woodland, supporting the importance of these forest types to bats in Colorado. Other covariates commonly associated with bats in Colorado include westerly longitudes, and negative associations with montane shrubland. Mechanical treatments within pinyon-juniper and montane woodlands should be conducted with caution to avoid harming bat communities. We developed hibernation models for only 2 species, making apparent

The devil is in the detail: Environmental variables frequently used for habitat suitability modeling lack information for forest‐dwelling bats in Germany

“…Instead of class indices derived from the tree species map, the indices based on the CLC dataset (“Corine Land Cover” in the Appendix ) were integrated. While the application of land cover information (e.g., Amini Tehrani et al., 2020 ; Bandara et al., 2022 ; Bellamy et al., 2020 ; Cable et al., 2021 ; Luo et al., 2020 ; Thomas et al., 2021 ; Wright et al., 2021 ) and/or landscape information via Fragstats or the R package landscape metrics is common in habitat modeling (e.g., Cable et al., 2021 ; Neubaum & Aagaard, 2022 ; Thomas et al., 2021 ), the highest resolution for forest classes typically extends no further than the categories provided by CLC, namely broadleaf, coniferous, or mixed forest (e.g., Amini Tehrani et al., 2020 ; Andersen et al., 2022 ; Bandara et al., 2022 ; Cable et al., 2021 ; Thomas et al., 2021 ; True et al., 2021 ). Therefore, the GVM approach incorporates all indices derived from the CLC dataset, amounting to 133 indices (compared to 265 for the tree species map variables with six classes for forest).…”

Could White-Nose Syndrome Manifest Differently in Myotis Lucifugus in Western Versus Eastern Regions of North America? A Review of Factors

“…Such movements proved critical for the spread of Pd in the Midwest, where 68% of introductions of WNS to new hibernacula occurred later in the hibernation season (Langwig et al 2021). In the West, Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) and Lasionycteris noctivagans (silver-haired bat) movements between hibernacula during winter have been detected acoustically, although movements typically have been <1 km (Lausen and Barclay 2006; Klüg-Baerwald et al 2017; Lausen et al 2022; Neubaum et al 2022). However, M. lucifugus is rarely detected acoustically during winter in the West (Lausen and Barclay 2006; Burles et al 2014; Neubaum et al 2022), including at hibernaculum entrances (Blejwas et al 2021), suggesting infrequent winter movements outside of hibernation sites.…”

“…In the West, Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) and Lasionycteris noctivagans (silver-haired bat) movements between hibernacula during winter have been detected acoustically, although movements typically have been <1 km (Lausen and Barclay 2006; Klüg-Baerwald et al 2017; Lausen et al 2022; Neubaum et al 2022). However, M. lucifugus is rarely detected acoustically during winter in the West (Lausen and Barclay 2006; Burles et al 2014; Neubaum et al 2022), including at hibernaculum entrances (Blejwas et al 2021), suggesting infrequent winter movements outside of hibernation sites. Furthermore, where MSS hibernacula are covered by deep snow, movements may not be possible (Neubaum 2018; Blejwas et al 2021).…”

“…Most western M. lucifugus hibernacula remain unknown; locating additional winter sites would improve our understanding of M. lucifugus ecology in the region, including their response to WNS. Development of predictive models to prioritize searches for hibernacula would be helpful, but the limited ability of land cover layers to capture features such as talus and rock crevices, because of issues of scale and resolution, currently limits such models (Theobald et al 2015; Neubaum and Aagaard 2022). However, as remote sensing techniques such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), ground-truthing (direct observation) of land cover for forestry practices, and development of soil mapping throughout the West are refined and expanded, the ability to target these habitats will improve.…”

Predicting habitat suitability for Townsend's big‐eared bats across California in relation to climate change

“…The variables and processes that are important in explaining the distribution and persistence of species are scale dependent; they can change from one area to the next due to regional differences in biotic and abiotic factors, historical and present land use, and/or local adaptation of populations (Deppe & Rotenberry, 2008 and references within, Bay et al, 2018 ; Ervin & Holly, 2011 ; Neubaum & Aagaard, 2022 ; Razgour et al, 2019 ; Urbanowicz et al, 2019 ). However, in species distribution models, the relationship between distribution and predictive environmental variables is assumed to be constant across a species' range (Reed et al, 2011 ).…”