Maternity roost site selection of big brown bats in ponderosa pine forests of the Channeled Scablands of northeastern Washington State, USA

Abstract

Bats play a variety of ecological roles in forest ecosystems and forest management can impact habitat conditions for forest-dwelling bats. We examined the use and characteristics of roosts selected by reproductive female big brown bats ( Eptesicus fuscus) in the Channeled Scablands of northeastern Washington. We radio-tracked 14 bats to locate 36 roosts. Bats were found in colonies averaging 27 and these colonies switched roosts about every 3.7 days. Habitat variables were measured for the roost itself and at a 0.1-ha microplot and 78-ha macroplot surrounding each roost. We measured habitat variables at random 0.1-ha microplots in the vicinity of each roost and at general random 0.1-ha microplots and 78-ha macroplots. Of the 36 roosts located, 34 were in natural tree cavities; 28 were in ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa) and eight in quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides). Dead tops of live pine trees were used significantly more as roosts than pine snags. Although there were significantly more roosts in trees >30 cm in diameter and >12 m high than what was available, roosts were not always the tallest tree in the stand. A significantly greater proportion of big brown bat roosts were found in open pine, aspen and mixed-aspen pine forests and less in grasslands and closed pine than expected. Forest management strategies should protect both large diameter snags and existing dead top live trees and maintain natural population levels of biological agents that create dead tops. Restoration of historic open conditions in ponderosa pine and aspen stands will provide improved habitat for big brown bats.