Bats Contribute to Keep Forests Growing and Protect Tree Seedlings From Insect Damage

Researchers found that bats play a significant role in the forests. Bats are present in caves and in forests, which shows how they protect trees and seedlings from insect damage.

(Photo : by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

The study was published in Ecology and is available to read on the Phys.org website.

The research, based on the University of Illinois, revealed that the insect could damage more on the trees and their seedlings, unlike when bats were present on the scene.

Benefits of bats in ecosystems

Forests protect many known and unknown species. It serves as a shelter to find food sources, protection, and reproduction.

However, forests also suffer from insect damage that affects their seedlings and potential growth.

According to the National Park Service (NPS), bats eating insects are said to be insectivorous. They play a crucial role in controlling the emergence of insects.

The Park Service added that the bats also helped farmers save from pest control as bats could reduce and kill insects damaging their crops and farms.

Furthermore, the emergence of bats also helps with seed dispersal.

According to the NPS, fruit-eating bats help spread seeds in plants and forests, often found in the Caribbean, Latin America, Pacific Islands, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Protection of forests

The study's lead author, Elizabeth Beilke, explained that it is important to figure out how bats could affect forests, considering the bat declines due to diseases.

Beike is also a postdoctoral researcher.

Moreover, the researchers explained the importance of the said experiment with bats and their ecosystems.

However, studying the types of insects and how they could affect bats should also be considered.

To further observe the existence of bats in the forests, the researchers created giant-mesh-enclosed structures in Indiana's forest.

The researchers observed eight bats, with two that were considered endangered species.

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In the process, the researchers allowed insects to enter the mesh openings.

In this way, the researchers could look into the amount of defoliation in the seedling.

According to the study, they found the following:

• Without bats, the researchers found that insect emergence was three times and defoliation showed to be five times.
• Without bats, the researchers also noted nine times defoliation emerged in oaks, while hickories showed three times. The study suggested that oaks and bats had a mutual beneficial relationship in their existence in the forests.
• Ultimately, the researchers explained that the decline of bats could potentially impact seedlings or baby trees.

On the other hand, the study said that the researchers also investigated 37 bird exclusion studies in forest systems.

The researchers noted that birds and bats consume the same insect diet, which is also declining.

Additionally, the study pointed out that studies focusing on birds did not take note of bats in their research designs.

As studies have shown, bats are also crucial in forests.

Bats help control insects, especially in farms and forests, and the conservation of bats is essential to the environment.

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