Short-term effects of small-scale habitat disturbance on activity by insectivorous bats

Forest harvesting alters habitat, which may affect bat activity. We experimentally tested the effect of small-scale disturbances (the creation of small cutblocks [areas where trees have been harvested]) and an access road in a forest setting on habitat use by bats we monitored with ultrasonic detectors. Relative to the control year, bat activity increased (P < 0.05) in the summer after cutblocks and the road were created, but activity did not vary with cutblock size (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ha). In contrast to bat activity, insect availability was unaffected by harvesting activities. These results suggest small forest openings may offer opportunities for bats to forage and provide orientation points for bats while navigating at a landscape level. However, the long-term effects of larger-scale habitat disturbances on bat ecology are still unclear, and caution should be exercised when applying these results to forest management plans.