Using mobile acoustic monitoring and false-positive N-mixture models to estimate bat abundance and population trends
The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) recently published a manuscript on novel methods developed to estimate relative abundance and population trends across the range of three species of bats in North America. The modeling approach integrated range-wide mobile acoustic data submitted to the NABat database to estimate relative abundance of each species at multiple spatial scales. NABat presents the first ever relative abundance maps in the maternity season that present clear evidence of substantial declines in populations of tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). These declines corresponded in space and time with the progression of white-nose syndrome. Results from this analysis may be used to inform conservation decision making and species recovery of the tricolored and little brown bats. This abundance framework can serve as a foundation from which more sophisticated integrated species distribution models that incorporate additional streams of monitoring data (e.g., stationary acoustics, captures) can be developed for North American bats.
Associated data can be found here: Udell, Bradley J., Bethany R. Straw, Susan C. Loeb, Kathryn M. Irvine, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Cori L. Lausen, Jonathan D. Reichard, et al. 2024. “Using Mobile Acoustic Monitoring and False-Positive N-Mixture Models to Estimate Bat Abundance and Population Trends.” Ecological Monographs e1617. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1617
The software release, which provides model vignettes to facilitate similar analyses using NABat data request workflows, can be found here. Udell, B.J., Straw, B.R., Loeb, S., Irvine, K.M., Thogmartin, W.E., Lausen, C., Reichard, J.D., Coleman, J.T.H., Cryan, P.M., Frick, W.F., Reichert, B.E., 2024, Ecosystems-nabat-FPabund: software for fitting false-positive N mixture models using NABat mobile acoustic data, (version 1.0.0): U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9R3W0EZ.
Recovery Plan Available for Mexican Long-Nosed Bat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a revised recovery plan for the Mexican long-nosed bat, an endangered migratory bat from Mexico that is also found seasonally in West Texas and New Mexico. The revised recovery plan establishes downlisting and delisting criteria for the Mexican long-nosed bat, which was listed as endangered on Sept. 30, 1988. Successful recovery efforts will continue to involve cooperation and collaboration among federal and state agencies, Tribes, local agencies, private entities, and other stakeholders. Additional recovery practices include bat research and environmental education and outreach to support bat conservation and reduce disturbances from people entering bat caves.
BWEC Releases 5-Year Plan
The Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) recently released their 5-year plan. BWEC originally formed to address the impact of wind energy development on bats by conducting targeted research, providing technical guidance, and sponsoring research required to accomplish its mission and objectives.
To read the full plan, click here.
IUCN Guidelines for Field Hygiene
The IUCN Bat Specialist Group recently developed updated guidelines for field hygiene when working with bats. These guidelines are intended for all who do fieldwork with bats in the field anywhere in the world. They update previous IUCN Bat Specialist Group guidelines, which were developed specifically to address bat-relatedfieldwork during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines address "ordinary"circumstances and aim to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission in alldirections – humans to bats, bats to humans, and between bat species orpopulations, facilitated by humans.
Bats for the Future Fund 2024 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is now accepting proposals for the 2024 Bats for the Future Fund grant opportunity. The Bats for the Future Fund provides grant funding to slow or halt the spread of white-nose syndrome disease (WNS) in North America and promote the survival and recovery of WNS-affected bat populations and species. More information is available here.
NJSGC Request for Proposals
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) is requesting proposals. Sea Grant addresses marine issues and coastal sustainability in the context of wise resource use and management, and New Jersey is interested in balancing economic growth with resource stewardship to sustain the state’s $80+ billion coastal economy. NJSGC fulfills its mission to promote the sustainable use of New Jersey’s coastal and marine resources through relevant research and student training, educational excellence, and rapid dissemination of acquired knowledge.
Find important proposal forms and instructions on the NJSGC website.
AVOID using grid cell centroids as point locations!
Have you ever assigned an NABat grid cell centroid to your survey’s latitude and longitude fields? Grid cell centroids should not be used in lieu of known coordinates for any survey data submitted to NABat! If the point location is unknown simply use the GRTS Cell Id to satisfy the location requirement for uploading your survey’s metadata.
Navigating the New/Updated Bulk Upload Templates
Join us Wednesday, September 18th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm MT for the NABat CoP Call: Navigating the New/Updated Bulk Upload Templates.
On this call we will walk everyone through what changes have occurred with commonly used templates like the Stationary Acoustic and Mobile Acoustic bulk upload templates. Stay tuned to the Partner Portal in early September as we start rolling out our new and updated templates.
Because this is the first CoP call following the annual summer hiatus, we'll also review upcoming events and the guidance, analytical products, and tools the NABat central coordinating office has been working on.
Meeting ID: 248 003 232 533
Passcode: YhsADe
Conferences
September 8-11, 2024: Northeastern Transportation & Wildlife Conference, Mystic, Connecticut, USA
September 22-25, 2024: Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Annual Meeting, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
September 23-25, 2024: 1st Cliff Ecology Conference, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
October 19-23, 2024: The Wildlife Society's 31st Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
October 23-26, 2024: Annual North American Symposium for Bat Research, Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Events
October 24-31, 2024: International Bat Week
Check out the NABat Events page for a complete list of training webinars, meeting links, and all other upcoming events!
Dietary Flexibility of Insectivorous Bats, Eptesicus fuscus and Myotis lucifugus, during Magicicada spp. Brood X Emergence
Microbiota diversity and anti-Pseudogymnoascus destructans bacteria isolated from Myotis pilosus skin during late hibernation
The genome sequence of the endemic Mexican common mustached Bat, Pteronotus mexicanus. Miller, 1902 [Mormoopidae; Pteronotus]
Ultraviolet-induced photoluminescent bristles on the feet of the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)
OPS F&W Biologist II
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking a OPS F&W Biological Scientist II. Employee’s primary responsibility will be to assist with field work and data management for several projects focusing on forest bat species throughout central and southern Florida. This research focuses on tricolored bats and Florida bonneted bats with an emphasis on characterizing roosts, evaluating genetics, and conducting population monitoring. The results of these studies will directly inform management and conservation strategies for these threatened and federally endangered species. Position will work in several protected areas near Naples, Miami, and Gainesville that may include but is not limited to: Big Cypress National Preserve, Southern Glades WEA and Ocala National Forest. Employee will work both cooperatively with supervisor and colleagues, and independently.
To learn more about this position, click here.
PhD Assistantship – Distribution and dynamics of the northern long‐eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in Montana
The Department of Ecology at Montana State University is seeking a PhD candidate advised by Dr. Andrea Litt. The candidate will develop a research project that can build on our understanding about MYSE and inform management and conservation. Focal research areas will include: 1) characterizing the known distribution of MYSE in Montana, 2) evaluating survey methods and levels of effort for this part of the species’ range, and 3) collecting data that can contribute to detecting population changes due to effects of WNS and other threats on MYSE and other bat species. Specific research questions will be determined jointly by the advisor and the selected candidate. The project will be funded by the Bureau of Land Management (funding to be confirmed by 30 Sept), and we will collaborate with BLM, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Natural Heritage Program, and the US Fish and Wildlife Services.
To learn more about this position, click here.
Wildlife Biologist II
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking a 2-yr time limited Bat Biologist. The SCDNR Bats and Transportation Structures (BATS) Biologist will work with SC Department of Transportation (DOT) to better inform project planning and collect statewide bat data for 11 South Carolina bat species known to utilize transportation structures. The Biologist will conduct bat surveys at the highest priority SCDOT transportation structures slated for construction, maintenance, or repair. Survey type and timing will depend on region and bat species likely to use that transportation type during a particular season. The Biologist will also design a basic research project to better understand bat presence and use of transportation structures in SC and look at the efficacy of existing avoidance and minimization measures being utilized to eliminate bat and SCDOT conflicts. Lastly, the Biologist will provide an annual Bats in Transportation Structures Training for DOT personnel.
To learn more about this position, click here.
Still have questions? Users who need project guidance or assistance are encouraged to book an appointment or reach out to our Technical Monitoring team for consultation.
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