Open Collections

Abstract

Understanding the location and distribution of ecologically important features for wildlife on campus has become increasingly important as UBC continues to expand and urbanize. In response, we sought to identify habitat features on the UBC campus with the highest abundance of bat activity and then used this information to recommend ways to support bat populations as campus continues to develop. Our research objectives were as follows: ● Examine the spatial distribution of bats on the UBC Vancouver campus ● Identify hot spots of bat activity ● Understand bat populations’ interactions with the surrounding urban landscape ● Guide stakeholders and university policy on co-existing and protecting wildlife We used a series of acoustic walking transects, mist-netting, guano surveys, emergence counts, and met with stakeholders to meet these objectives. Six hotspots of bat activity were identified, most of which avoid the academic areas on campus (Figure 4). Tree canopy was an important factor for bat activity as recorded calls were on average 4.6 meters from a tree. The endangered Little Brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and blue-listed Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) were found at Nitobe Memorial Garden and were later tracked back to the Auditorium Annex roost. Finally, we conclude that UBC’s lack of policy or governing body for wildlife co-existence poses challenges for effectively managing threatened and endangered bat species on campus. Based on our findings, we recommend future research focuses on identifying additional roosts near activity hotspots and that an evaluation of the structural integrity of the Auditorium Annex Offices A be completed. Further recommendations include implementing a policy and governing body for co-existence with wildlife and endangered species, continued monitoring of the campus roost and bat boxes, and protecting vital green spaces for bats on campus. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”