Bats benefit from beavers: a facilitative link between aquatic and terrestrial food webs

Abstract

Bat populations are declining in many areas, partly because up to two-thirds of their wetland habitats have been lost. One natural agent creating wetlands is the beaver, which is recolonizing its former range. Beaver flowages are known for their high production of aquatic invertebrates. We tested the hypothesis that the high numbers of insects emerging from beaver flowages influences their use by foraging bats. We compared bat use and bat numbers above flowages of introduced Canadian beavers Castor canadensis and in nearby control ponds where beavers were absent. The two bat species detected, Eptesicus nilssoni and Myotis daubentoni, used beaver flowages more than non-beaver ponds. This is especially the case for Eptesicus nilssoni. Bats also seemed to forage in larger groups while above beaver ponds compared to the control ponds. Beaver flowages appeared to improve bat habitats. A plausible reason for this could be the high number of insects emerging from beaver ponds. Favouring the beaver in habitat management is a tool for creating suitable conditions for many other species, such as bats. In areas not suited for the beaver, insect production can be achieved by imitating the beaver with man-made impoundments. This is especially important in areas which have lost most of their wetlands.