Agricultural Expansion and Human Encroachment Shaping Bat Roosting Behaviour Activity Patterns and Population Connectivity
DOI::
https://doi.org/10.70102/AEJ.2026.18.1.42کلمات کلیدی:
Bat roosting behaviour, Agricultural expansion, Human encroachment, Acoustic monitoring, Population connectivity, Habitat fragmentation, Conservation ecology.چکیده
The role of bats in maintaining balance in insects, as well as other activities like pollination and seed dissemination, is vital. However, the roosting and foraging behavior of bats has been increasingly influenced by agricultural intensification and land development by humans. The current study explores the impact of modifications in habitats on roosting behavior, feeding behavior, and emergence time of bats in a few selected agricultural/semi-rural areas in the district of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Agricultural crop fields, plantations, irrigation pools, scattered trees, villages, and vegetated areas served as the habitat for the species being studied. Acoustic detectors were installed at selected sites for the recording of bat passes, feeding calls, emergence timings, etc. From the findings, it was noted that bat activity was highest near irrigation ponds, crop fields bordered by tree lines, and canal borders with high vegetation cover, while agricultural lands and pure crops had low bat activity. Reference areas had more bats roosting, greater stability of bat colonies, and early emergence from the roost. Human disturbance factors such as artificial light, noise from machines, the presence of roads, pesticides, and human movements had an adverse effect on bats. It is concluded that conservation of hollow trees, old buildings, hedgerows, water sources, and dark corridors will aid in maintaining bats in modified agricultural ecosystems