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Bartha, Philip; Brehon, Ryan; Wen, Mark; Wong, Timothy

In August 2022, a roost of endangered little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus, hereafter M. lucifugus) was found on UBC Campus, inside the Auditorium Annex Offices. Concerns have been raised by building residents and UBC Facilities about bat activity and bat droppings near the roost. To alleviate these concerns and provide an alternative habitat for these bats, our ENVR 400 project team partnered with UBC SEEDS to help relocate the bats. M. lucifugus has been an endangered species since 2014 due to a fungal disease known as White Nose Syndrome, which has caused widespread mortality. This is not well known among the public, and there are few groups advocating for the conservation of these bats, despite the fact that M. lucifugus prey on insects that harm human health and agricultural productivity, providing desirable ecosystem services in urban environments. Important factors when determining suitable habitat for M. lucifugus include temperature, protection from predators, proximity to water bodies, and density of vegetation. Bat boxes can be a suitable substitute to roosting sites if they are located within suitable habitat. Our main research objectives were as follows: 1) identify a suitable location for a bat box near the current roost, 2) purchase a bat box that meets the roost’s habitat needs, and 3) recommend procedures for protecting the roost and addressing gaps in UBC wildlife conservation policy. To identify suitable habitat, our team first conducted a GIS analysis. This allowed us to weigh different factors relevant to bat habitat suitability, including proximity to water bodies and buildings, density of trees, and density of soft vegetation. Following this, we scouted suitable sites in-person and consulted with various bat experts and UBC staff to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each installation location (Figure 1). One Dual Quad Chamber bat box was obtained after consulting with bat experts to ensure the box met the roost’s needs. Finally, the installation process was developed in collaboration with external contractors and UBC Building Operations. The installation location we selected is in a field approximately 120m away from the current roost (Figure 2). Due to the close proximity to the current roost, our group felt this location provided the best opportunity for a successful relocation.

Text

University of British Columbia. ENVR 400

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0432066

Science, Faculty of; Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of

Undergraduate

DSpace