Retain residual tree patches in logged areas

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 3
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

30%
Certainty

35%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Logging by clearcutting results in large open, cleared areas in forests (clearcut blocks). Residual tree patches may be left uncut within these areas.

To be included as evidence for this intervention, studies must have monitored a comparison, i.e. compared residual tree patches that have been kept intact with similar/nearby areas where tree patches have been cut down or otherwise degraded. There must have been an active decision (i.e. intervention) to retain the residual tree patches and the study must state when the intervention was carried out.

Study locations

Key messages

Three studies evaluated the effects of retaining residual tree patches in logged areas on bat populations. The three studies were in Canada.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES)

POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES)

Abundance (3 studies): Two replicated, site comparison studies in Canada found no difference in bat activity (relative abundance) along the edges of residual tree patches and the edges of clearcut blocks. One replicated, site comparison study in Canada found that the activity of smaller bat species was higher along the edge of residual tree patches than in the centre of clearcut blocks, but the activity of larger bat species did not differ. One replicated, controlled study in Canadafound that residual tree patches had similar activity of little brown bats and northern long-eared bats and lower activity of silver-haired bats compared to clearcut forest patches.

BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, site comparison study in 2000 of six sites in logged forest in central British Columbia, Canada (Swystun et al 2001) found that the edges of residual tree patches had similar bat activity to clearcut forest edges. Overall bat activity along residual tree patch edges (49 total bat passes) did not differ significantly to that along clearcut forest edges (110 bat passes). Six residual tree patches (0.5–2 ha) were sampled in six clearcut blocks (105–180 ha, <5 years old) in logged forest (dominated by lodgepole pine Pinus contorta). At each of six sites, bat activity was recorded with bat detectors simultaneously along residual tree patch edges and clearcut edges for one night in July–August 2000.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Swystun M.B., Psyllakis J.M. & Brigham R.M. (2001) The influence of residual tree patch isolation on habitat use by bats in central British Columbia. Acta Chiropterologica, 3, 197-201.
A replicated, site comparison study in 2000 at nine sites in an experimental forest in Alberta Canada (Hogberg et al 2002) found that the edges of residual tree patches had higher activity of smaller bat species than the centre of open clearcut blocks, but the activity of larger bat species did not differ. More bat passes of smaller bat species (calls detected at 45 kHz) were recorded along the edges of residual tree patches (average 4 bat passes/hour) and forest edges (5 bat passes/hour) than in the centre of open clearcut blocks (2 bat passes/hour). A similar number of passes of larger bat species (calls detected at 25 kHz) were recorded along residual tree patch edges, forest edges and in the centre of clearcut blocks (data not reported). Residual tree patches were oval (60 x 90 m). At each of nine clearcut blocks (8–10 ha, 1–2 years old), three locations were sampled (forest edge, residual patch edge, centre of clearcut block). Each of three locations within nine clearcut blocks was sampled for 15 minutes 2–3 times in a randomized order during one night in June–July 2000.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Hogberg L.K., Patriquin K.J. & Barclay R.M.R. (2002) Use by bats of patches of residual trees in logged areas of the boreal forest. American Midland Naturalist, 148, 282-288.
A replicated, controlled study in 1998–2000 of 18 deciduous, coniferous and mixed forest sites in Alberta, Canada (Patriquin & Barclay 2003) found that residual tree patches had similar activity of two bat species and lower activity of one bat species compared to forest patches that had been cleared. The activity (bat passes/hour) of little brown bats Myotis lucifugus and northern long-eared bats Myotis septentrionalis was similar within residual tree patches and clearcut patches in all three types of forest (data reported as statistical model results). The activity of silver-haired bats Lasionycteris noctivagans was lower within residual tree patches than clearcut patches in all three types of forest. In winter 1998–1999, three patches of forest were left intact (average 974–1,210 stems/ha) and three were cleared in each of three forest types (deciduous, coniferous, mixed). Each of the 18 x 10 ha patches was surrounded by a buffer of intact forest (59–471 m wide). At each of 18 sites, bat activity was recorded with bat detectors at the centre and edge of each patch in June–July 1999 and June–August 2000 for a total of 33–42 nights/site.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Patriquin K.J. & Barclay R.M.R. (2003) Foraging by bats in cleared, thinned and unharvested boreal forest. Journal of Applied Ecology, 40, 646-657.

Please cite as:

Berthinussen, A., Richardson O.C. and Altringham J.D. (2021) Bat Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bat Conservation

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