LiDAR metrics predict suitable forest foraging areas of endangered Mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis)
Habitat shift caused by human impact on vegetation structure poses a great threat to species which are special- ized on unique habitats. Single layered beech forests, the main foraging habitat of Greater Mouse-eared Bats (My- otis myotis), are threatened by recent changes in forest structure. After this species suffered considerable popula- tion losses until the 1970s, their roosts in buildings are strictly protected. However, some populations are still de- clining. Thus, the spatial identification of suitable foraging habitat would be essential to ensure conservation pol- icy. The aim of this study was (a) to verify the relevance of forest structural variables for the activity of M. myotis and (b) to evaluate the potential of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in predicting suitable foraging habitat of the species. We systematically sampled bat activity in forests close to 18 maternity roosts in Switzerland and applied a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to fit the activity data to forest structure variables recorded in the field and derived from LiDAR. We found that suitable forest foraging habitat is defined by single layered for- est, dense canopy, no shrub layer and a free flight space. Most importantly, this key foraging habitat can be well predicted by airborne LiDAR data. This allows for the first time to create nationwide prediction maps of potential foraging habitats of this species to inform conservation management. This method has a special significance for endangered species with large spatial use, whose key resources are hard to identify and widely distributed across the landscape.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by:
- BAFU
(link)
(Grant/Award: 16.0100.PJ / R423-1 858)
Related Datasets
activity data, environment data, explanatory file, R code
Related Publications
Katja Rauchenstein, Klaus Ecker, Elias Bader, Christian Ginzler, Christoph Düggelin, Fabio Bontadina, Martin K. Obrist (2022) LiDAR metrics predict suitable forest foraging areas of endangered Mouse- eared bats (Myotis myotis). Forest Ecology and Management.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120210
Citation:
Rauchenstein, Katja; Ecker, Klaus; Bader, Elias; Ginzler, Christian; Düggelin, Christoph; Bontadina, Fabio; Obrist, Martin K. (2022). LiDAR metrics predict suitable forest foraging areas of endangered Mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis). EnviDat. doi:10.16904/envidat.306.
DataCite
ISO 19139
GCMD DIF
README.txt
BibTex
RIS
Metadata
Field |
Values |
DOI |
10.16904/envidat.306
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Publication State |
Published |
Authors |
-
Email:
katja.rauchensteinfoo(at)swild.ch
ORCID:
0000-0002-5084-6763
Given Name:
Katja
Family Name:
Rauchenstein
Affiliation:
SWILD
DataCRediT:
Collection, Validation, Curation, Software, Publication
-
Email:
klaus.eckerfoo(at)wsl.ch
ORCID:
0000-0002-6356-9590
Given Name:
Klaus
Family Name:
Ecker
Affiliation:
WSL
DataCRediT:
Validation, Software, Publication, Supervision
-
Email:
elias.baderfoo(at)zoo.ch
Given Name:
Elias
Family Name:
Bader
Affiliation:
KOF
DataCRediT:
Collection, Validation, Curation, Publication
-
Email:
christian.ginzlerfoo(at)wsl.ch
ORCID:
0000-0001-6365-2151
Given Name:
Christian
Family Name:
Ginzler
Affiliation:
WSL
DataCRediT:
Software, Publication
-
Email:
christoph.dueggelin
Given Name:
Christoph
Family Name:
Düggelin
Affiliation:
WSL
DataCRediT:
Software, Publication
-
Email:
fabio.bontadinafoo(at)swild.ch
Given Name:
Fabio
Family Name:
Bontadina
Affiliation:
SWILD
Additional Affiliation :
WSL
DataCRediT:
Publication, Supervision
-
Email:
martin.obristfoo(at)wsl.ch
ORCID:
0000-0001-6766-044X
Given Name:
Martin K.
Family Name:
Obrist
Affiliation:
WSL
DataCRediT:
Validation, Curation, Publication, Supervision
|
Contact Person |
Given Name:
Martin K.
Family Name:
Obrist
Email:
martin.obristfoo(at)wsl.ch
Affiliation:
WSL
ORCID:
0000-0001-6766-044X
|
Subtitles |
|
Publication |
Publisher:
EnviDat
Year:
2022
|
Dates |
-
Type:
Collected
Date:
2019-05-15
End Date:
2019-07-31
|
Version |
1.0 |
Type |
dataset |
General Type |
Dataset |
Language |
English |
Location |
Switzerland |
Content License |
WSL Data Policy
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Last Updated |
April 12, 2022, 12:26 (UTC)
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Created |
April 8, 2022, 08:45 (UTC)
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