Leveraging Abandoned Railroad Tunnels for Bat Conservation [Fact Sheet]

Johnson, Joseph S; Kuchta, Shawn R

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Leveraging Abandoned Railroad Tunnels for Bat Conservation [Fact Sheet]

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. Office of Statewide Planning and Research ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
Resource Type:

Brief
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Ohio
Edition:

Fact Sheet
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:

111454
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86671/dot_86671_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 620.66 KB]
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:82ea0182fb89f7fd43ee2d822818296f9c3db553554bf3087c38a10fb029f69153db6639e5883b5493ab429430b6cb471479f6fa8fc1274bd07ab62ded134de4

File Language:

English

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