Bioacoustic monitoring of a large hibernation colony of barbastelle bats

Ana Belen Ribadeneira Paez

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Monitoring bats hibernation dynamics provides valuable ecological and biological insights, as well as awareness of the impact of the environmental changes. More monitoring effort on cryophilic species are needed, therefore this study focuses on the monitoring of a large hibernating colony of Barbastella bats (Barbastella barbastellus) in the Czech Republic, employing acoustic AudioMoth detectors and performing visual controls over two winter seasons 2023/2024 – 2024/2025. The research evaluates seasonal dynamics, spatial distribution within the hibernaculum, hibernation patterns and the possible influence of microclimatic factors. The results reveal slight differences of seasonal dynamics between both winter season, significant flight activity before and during the hibernation period among the hibernaculum, preference and loyalty to clustering in specific thermostable sites, and possible negative effect of grills present at one of the entrances of the tunnel, suggesting that environmental conditions and intraspecific interactions play a crucial role in hibernation behavior. The findings highlight the importance of long-term hibernation monitoring supplemented by acoustics, which contribute with the detection of specific information that common monitoring methodology don’t. This study contributes with ecological information about barbastelle bats hibernation dynamics, and suggest that the study site is an important hibernation roost for this species, that apparently is used for other purposes such as mating and social relations, therefore the importance of conserve it and the surrounding habitat.

Keywords

Hibernation Dynamics, Thermal Preference, Cryophilic Species, Echolocation, Barbastelle Bats (Barbastella barbastellus)

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 3. 4. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 19. 5. 2025
• Vedoucí: Ing. Jana Svobodová, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Aleš Vorel, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta životního prostředí

Magisterský studijní program:
Nature Conservation