Citizen science in the South Tyrolean Unterland – who would like to help search for bat roosts this summer?
The barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) is one of the 26 bat species known to occur in South Tyrol. It is a rare and threatened species whose population has been declining across Europe for decades. One of the main reasons for this decline is the intensification of forestry practices, which has led to a lack of old and dead wood and consequently to the loss of suitable tree roosts. All roosts found so far in South Tyrol are located in buildings, behind window shutters that, when open, resemble loose tree bark. During the summer months, females gather there with a single pup each to raise their young. Due to their high food requirements during this period, female barbastelle bats are particularly effective natural pest controllers. Every night, they consume more than two thirds of their own body weight, including many agricultural pests.
As part of the “Species Monitoring” project, we at the Institute for Alpine Environment, together with the Office for Nature and the South Tyrol Museum of Nature, are searching for information on known building roosts of the barbastelle bat. This year, we are particularly looking for information from the South Tyrolean Unterland, where no building roosts have yet been documented, even though barbastelle bats do occur there and are even widespread.
So, if you happen to host some “tenants” behind your window shutters and would like to help us learn more about the occurrence of the rare barbastelle bat in South Tyrol, please contact us at:
biodiversity@eurac.edu
