Bat Roosts in Trees

A Guide to Identification and Assessment for Tree-Care and Ecology Professionals

By (author) Bat Tree Habitat Key

Publication date:

12 November 2018

Publisher

Pelagic Publishing

Dimensions:

244x170mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9781784271619

This is a guide to finding tree-roosts. It is the result of the collaborative efforts of professional surveyors and amateur naturalists across Europe as part of the Bat Tree Habitat Key project, and represents a combination of firsts:

It is the first time legislation and planning policy have been reviewed and put to practical use to define an analysis framework with clearly identifiable thresholds for action. Yet, despite its efficacy in a professional context, it is also the first time a guide has been produced that is equally effective in achieving its objective for amateurs.

It is the first time such a method has been evidence-supported throughout, with summary reviews of each aspect of the roosting ecology of the individual 14 tree-roosting species, with illustrative photographs and data to which the reader has open access.

It is the first time a repeatable analysis framework has been defined against which the surveyor may compare their results at every stage, from the desk-study, through ground-truthing, survey and analysis, thereby ensuring nothing is overlooked and that every result can be objectively compared. The survey and analysis framework itself is ground-breaking in that it may readily be adapted for any taxa; from moths, through amphibians, reptiles, birds and all other mammals.

Used diligently, these methods will reward disproportionately and imbue the reader with renewed confidence as they quickly progress from beginner to competency. Thus, this book is for everyone who has ever wanted to find a tree-roost, or to safeguard against inadvertently damaging one.

Ch 1. Rationale
-Introduction
-Pre-existing published advice
-Motivation
-Objective
-Proportionality

Ch 2. Tree-Roosting Bats
-Tree-roosting bat species
-Wooded habitat and tree species
-Sensitivity to isolation
-Seasonal tree-roost occupancy and roost size
-Roost heights
-General tree-roost preferences

Ch 3. Potential Roost Features
-Introduction
-The Disease and Decay PRF
-The Damage PRF
-The Association PRF

Ch 4. Intelligence-Gathering
-Introduction
-Resources
-Collation of the results

Ch 5. The Desk-Study
-Introduction
-The desk-study objective
-The test of 'reasonable likelihood'
-To survey or not to survey

Ch 6. Ground-Truthing
-Introduction
-Ground-truthing method
-Ground-truthing interpretation

Ch 7. Choosing Surveillance Methods
-Introduction
-Close-inspection
-Remote-observation
-Static-netting
-Radio-tracking
-Putting it all together
-The proportionality text

Ch 8. Close-Inspection
-Introduction
-Equipment
-Health and Safety
-Close-inspection method
-Interpretation

Ch 9. Remote-Observation
-Introduction
-Confounding factors
-Equipment
-Health and Safety
-Remote-observation method
-Interpretation

Ch 10. Static-Netting
-Introduction
-Equipment
-Health and Safety
-Static-netting method
-Interpretation

Ch 11. Surveillance Effort
-Introduction
-Detectability variables
-Surveillance periods and intensity therein

Ch 12. Trouble-Shooting
-Introduction
-Fundamental principles
-Inconclusive and 'null' results
-Indirect damage and disturbance
-Comparative assessment of environment
-Late commissions
-Unlicensed assessments
-Getting a second-opinion
-Fault-finding

This work will serve as an invaluable reference for field biologists who might be called upon to conduct relevant survey work and environmental impact assessments.