Leveraging Abandoned Railroad Tunnels for Bat Conservation

Johnson, Joseph S; Kuchta, Shawn R

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Leveraging Abandoned Railroad Tunnels for Bat Conservation

2024-05-01
By Johnson, Joseph S ; Kuchta, Shawn R

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Johnson, Joseph S ; Kuchta, Shawn R
Corporate Creators:

University of Cincinnati ; Ohio University
Corporate Contributors:

Ohio. Department of Transportation. Ohio's Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL) ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Abandonment Bats Conservation Habitat (Ecology) Railroad Tunnels Recommendations Wildlife
Publication/ Report Number:

FHWA/OH-2024/12
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Ohio
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

Ohio. Department of Transportation
Abstract:

This report summarizes a study on abandoned tunnels' importance to bat populations in Ohio. We located 50 tunnels and surveyed 40 of these for one or more winter season. Little brown myotis, big brown bats, and tricolored bats were the most commonly observed species, with varying preferences for tunnel features. Key predictors of bat use such as tunnel length, temperature range, and minimum temperatures were identified, with different patterns across species. Trends analysis showed growing little brown myotis colonies, stable tricolored and big brown bat populations, and low rates of infection with Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. Recommendations focus on improving hibernacula conditions, reducing temperature variability, and prioritizing tunnel enhancements based on species importance and habitat suitability. This report highlights the critical role of abandoned tunnels as winter habitats for Ohio's bats and provides actionable conservation recommendations.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

34884
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:73bf6afd96e3ebe3c9082e81ed805f4c1421b511c16a03bb335790e520ea9ebd38359cbeaf90aea2a1d5d53039b9b7f04266186e46f56127828d98855cb416bb
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86670/dot_86670_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 1.11 MB ]

File Language:

English

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