Roost tree selection by northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies following prescribed fire in a Central Appalachian Mountains hardwood forest

Published source details Johnson J.B., Edwards J.W., Ford W.M. & Gates J.E. (2009) Roost tree selection by northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies following prescribed fire in a Central Appalachian Mountains hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 258, 233-242.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use prescribed burning Action Link

Use prescribed burning

A replicated, controlled, site comparison study in 2007–2008 of four mixed forest sites in West Virginia, USA (Johnson et al 2009) found female northern myotis bats Myotis septentrionalis roosting in tree stands treated with prescribed fire and in unburned forest, and roost switching frequency and the distance between roost trees did not differ between burned and unburned forest. Twenty-five roosts were in burned tree stands and 44 in unburned forest, but the difference was not tested for statistical significance. Roost switching frequency and the distance between roost trees did not differ significantly between burned (1–6 days, average 152 m) and unburned forest (1–5 days, 230 m). In April–May 2007 and 2008, three stands (45, 13 and 21 ha) were burned for one day using a strip head fire technique. The remainder of the 1,900-ha forest was left unburned. Bats were captured over streams, pools, trails, and service roads at burned and unburned sites using mist nets in May–August 2007 and 2008. In 2007, three female bats were radio-tracked to eight roosts. In 2008, 33 female bats were radio-tracked to 65 roosts, four of which were used previously in 2007.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)