Changes in bat community composition and activity patterns across a conservation-agriculture boundary

dc.contributor.authorMtsetfwa, Fezile
dc.contributor.authorMcCleery, Robert A.
dc.contributor.authorMonadjem, Ara
dc.date.accessioned2019-04-10T05:21:52Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractAgricultural landscapes are typically associated with a decreased biodiversity, particularly when they extend across large spatial scales. Despite the fact that some African bat species seem to provide essential ecosystem services across landscapes, we only have a limited understanding of how intensive agricultural practices influence bat communities. This study investigated the effects of sugarcane monoculture on the composition of both bat species and functional groups across a conservation-agricultural matrix. Specifically, we wanted to understand changes in the bat communities within savannas and sugarcane plantations. We categorised bats into broad foraging (functional) groups based on their echolocation call structure: open-air; clutter-edge; and, clutter. To measure bat activity, we established twelve 25 ha grids randomly located in savanna and sugarcane vegetation. Within each grid we placed nine acoustic detectors, in 3 × 3 formation, 250 m apart; totalling 54 plots in each land use. We sampled each plot over four nights (two in the wet season and two in the dry season) during a one-year period. We did not observe a significant difference in species richness between savanna and sugarcane. However, there was a difference in functional group composition. Sugarcane negatively affected clutter foragers; this group was practically absent here despite occurring within neighbouring savannas. We observed distinct patterns of seasonality in bat activity, with activity of all functional groups being reduced in the dry season.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentMammal Research Instituteen_ZA
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_ZA
dc.description.embargo2019-11-15
dc.description.librarianhj2019en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Rufford Foundation and Bat Conservation International.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tafz20en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationFezile Mtsetfwa, Robert A McCleery & Ara Monadjem (2018) Changes in batcommunity composition and activity patterns across a conservation-agriculture boundary, AfricanZoology, 53:3, 99-106, DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2018.1531726.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1562-7020 (print)
dc.identifier.issn2224-073X (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1080/15627020.2018.1531726
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/68946
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherNISC (Pty) Ltd and Informa UK Limited (trading as Taylor & Francis Group)en_ZA
dc.rights© Zoological Society of Southern Africa. This is an electronic version of an article published in African Zoology, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 99-106, 2018. doi : 10.1080/15627020.2018.1531726. African Zoology is available online at : https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tafz20.en_ZA
dc.subjectBiodiversityen_ZA
dc.subjectChiropteraen_ZA
dc.subjectEcholocationen_ZA
dc.subjectSavannaen_ZA
dc.subjectSeasonalityen_ZA
dc.subjectSpecies richnessen_ZA
dc.subjectSugarcaneen_ZA
dc.subjectBatsen_ZA
dc.titleChanges in bat community composition and activity patterns across a conservation-agriculture boundaryen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

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