Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create or restore bat foraging habitat in urban areas Three studies evaluated the effects of creating or restoring bat foraging habitat in urban areas on bat populations. One study in each of the UK and USA evaluated green roofs and one study in the USA evaluated restored forest fragments. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled, site comparison study in the USA found no difference in species richness over green roofs and conventional unvegetated roofs. POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Abundance (3 studies): One site comparison study in the USA found higher bat activity (relative abundance) in two of seven restored forest fragments in urban areas than in two unrestored forest fragments. One replicated, controlled, site comparison study in the UK found greater bat activity over ‘biodiverse’ green roofs than conventional unvegetated roofs, but not over ‘sedum’ green roofs. One replicated, controlled, site comparison study in the USA found greater bat activity for three of five bat species over green roofs than over conventional unvegetated roofs. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F954https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F954Fri, 20 Dec 2013 09:44:25 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create tree plantations on agricultural land Three studies evaluated the effects of creating tree plantations on agricultural land on bat populations. The three studies were in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Richness/diversity (3 studies): Three replicated, site comparison studies in Australia found no difference in the number of bat species in agricultural areas with and without plantations of native trees. POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Abundance (3 studies): Two of three replicated, site comparison studies in Australia found no difference in bat activity (relative abundance) in agricultural areas with and without plantations of native trees. The other study found higher bat activity in plantations next to remnant native vegetation than in isolated plantations or over grazing land. In all three studies, bat activity was lower in plantations compared to original forest and woodland remnants. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F958https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F958Fri, 20 Dec 2013 10:09:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create artificial water sources Five studies evaluated the effects of creating artificial water sources for bats on bat populations. One study was in each of the USA, Germany, South Africa, Israel and Mexico. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, paired sites study in South Africa found a similar number of bat species over farm ponds and in grassland/crops, trees, vineyards or orchards. POPULATION RESPONSE (5 STUDIES) Abundance (5 studies): Five replicated studies (including four site comparisons and one paired sites study) in Israel, the USA, Germany, South Africa and Mexico found that bat activity (relative abundance) was similar or higher over reservoirs and waste water treatment pools, heliponds and drainage ditches, retention ponds and farm/cattle ponds compared to over natural wetlands, nearby vineyards, surrounding forest or grassland/crops, trees and orchards. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F959https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F959Fri, 20 Dec 2013 10:14:31 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Deter bats from turbines using radar We found no studies that evaluated the effects of deterring bats from wind turbines using radar on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F967https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F967Fri, 20 Dec 2013 11:25:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Deter bats from turbines using ultrasound Four studies evaluated the effects of deterring bats from wind turbines using ultrasound on bat populations. The four studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Survival (3 studies): Three replicated, randomized, controlled studies (one with a before-and-after trial in the second year) in the USA found mixed results. In the first year of one study, 21-51% fewer bats were killed at turbines with an ultrasonic deterrent fitted than at control turbines, but in the second year, from 2% more to 64% fewer bats were killed at turbines with ultrasonic deterrents fitted. One study found that using an ultrasonic deterrent emitting a constant or pulsed signal had mixed effects on the fatality rates of three bat species. One study found that using ultrasonic deterrents resulted in fewer fatalities for two of three bat species. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One paired sites study in the USA found fewer bats flying near one of two wind turbines with an ultrasonic deterrent compared to turbines without, but the effect of the deterrent overall was not significant. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F968https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F968Fri, 20 Dec 2013 11:30:12 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Divert bats to safe crossing points over or under roads/railways with plantings or fencing One study evaluated the effects of diverting bats using an artificial hedgerow on bat populations. The study was in Switzerland. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY)      Use (1 study): One controlled, before-and-after study in Switzerland found that up to one fifth of lesser horseshoe bats within a colony flew along an artificial hedgerow to commute. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F981https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F981Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:16:34 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Deter bats from roads/railways using lighting We found no studies that evaluated the effects of deterring bats from roads/railways using lighting on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F982https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F982Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:27:40 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Educate the public to improve perception of bats to improve behaviour towards bats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of educating the public to improve the perception of bats to improve behaviour towards bats. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1000https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1000Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:09:30 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Cull bats infected with white-nose syndrome We found no studies that evaluated the effects of culling bats infected with white-nose syndrome on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1012https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1012Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:47:23 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Educate homeowners about building and planning laws relating to bats to reduce disturbance to bat roosts We found no studies that evaluated the effects of educating homeowners and planning authorities about building and planning laws relating to bats to reduce disturbance to bat roosts. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1931https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1931Fri, 30 Nov 2018 14:34:44 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Engage farmers and landowners to manage land for bats One study evaluated the effects of engaging farmers and landowners to manage land for bats on bat populations. The study was in the UK. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One study in the UK found that during a five-year project to engage farmers and landowners to manage land for bats, the overall population of greater horseshoe bats at four maternity roosts in the area increased (but see summary below). BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Change in human behaviour (1 study): One study in the UK found that a landowner engagement project resulted in 77 bat-related management agreements covering approximately 6,536 ha of land. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1936https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1936Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:15:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Deter bats from turbines using low-level ultraviolet light We found no studies that evaluated the effects of deterring bats from turbines using low-level ultraviolet light on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1958https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1958Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:13:08 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create spaces for roosting bats in road/railway bridges and culverts One study evaluated the effects of creating spaces for roosting bats in road bridges. The study was in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY)         Use (1 study): One review in the USA found that spaces created in road bridges for roosting bats to replace those lost during bridge works were recolonized by bats in similar or greater numbers to the original roosts at four of eight sites. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1967https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1967Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:07:53 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Deter bats from roads/railways using ultrasound We found no studies that evaluated the effects of deterring bats from roads/railways using ultrasound on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1968https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1968Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:10:24 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Enforce regulations to prevent trafficking and trade of bats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of enforcing regulations to prevent trafficking and trade of bats on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1971https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1971Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:20:02 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Encourage online vendors to remove bat specimens for sale We found no studies that evaluated the effects of encouraging online vendors to remove bat specimens for sale on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1978https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1978Tue, 04 Dec 2018 18:26:44 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Encourage natural regeneration in former plantations We found no studies that evaluated the effects of encouraging natural regeneration in former plantations on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1988https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1988Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:06:25 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create or maintain small dams to provide foraging and drinking habitat for bats One study evaluated the effects of maintaining small dams as foraging and drinking habitat for bats on bat populations. The study was in Portugal. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Portugal found that reservoirs created using small dams had greater activity (relative abundance) of four bat species than the streams feeding into them. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1997https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1997Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:43:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Decontaminate clothing and equipment after entering caves to reduce the spread of the white-nose syndrome pathogen We found no studies that evaluated the effects of decontaminating clothing and equipment after entering caves to reduce the spread of the white-nose syndrome pathogen on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2006https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2006Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:33:20 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Direct lighting away from bat access points or habitats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of directing lighting away from bat access points or habitats on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2019https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2019Wed, 05 Dec 2018 17:53:34 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create new unlit commuting routes using planting We found no studies that evaluated the effects of creating new unlit bat commuting routes using planting on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2034https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2034Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:26:40 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Educate farmers, land managers and local communities about the benefits of bats to improve management of bat habitats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of educating farmers, land managers and local communities about the benefits of bats to improve management of bat habitats. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2040https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2040Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:35:58 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Engage policymakers to make policy changes beneficial to bats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of engaging policymakers to make policy changes beneficial to bats or human behaviours directly beneficial to bats. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2041https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2041Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:36:41 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Educate pest controllers and homeowners/tenants to reduce the illegal use of pesticides in bat roosts We found no studies that evaluated the effects of educating pest controllers and homeowners/tenants to reduce the illegal use of pesticides in bat roosts on bat populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2043https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2043Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:40:13 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Educate farmers, local communities and pest controllers to reduce indiscriminate culling of vampire bats We found no studies that evaluated the effects of educating farmers, local communities and pest controllers to reduce indiscriminate culling of vampire bats. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2044https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2044Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:41:06 +0000
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What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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