Theses and Dissertations
The response of bats and their insect prey to different coastal upland habitat management techniques
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Sparks, Eric L.
Committee Member
Pitchford, Jonathan
Committee Member
Rush, Scott A.
Date of Degree
8-8-2023
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Forest Resources
Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Abstract
Declining bat populations necessitates a need to understand how different land management techniques influence bat activity. This study assessed the influences of different coastal upland habitat management techniques, such as mulching, prescribed fire, and select cut, on forest bat activity within the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge and National Estuarine Research Reserve. Acoustic recorders were used to monitor bat activity and insect and vegetation surveys were used to assess influences on bat activity across different land management techniques. Results demonstrate that overall bat activity was similar across different land management techniques, however larger species adapted for open-space flying were shown to be less active within dense forest such as the select cut technique areas. Findings from this study suggest that various land management techniques can influence bat activity differently.
Recommended Citation
Sartain, Amanda Nicole, "The response of bats and their insect prey to different coastal upland habitat management techniques" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 5953.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/5953