Do young eucalypt plantations benefit bats in an intensive agricultural landscape?

Published source details Law B.S., Chidel M. & Penman T. (2011) Do young eucalypt plantations benefit bats in an intensive agricultural landscape?. Wildlife Research, 38, 173-187.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create tree plantations on agricultural land Action Link

Create tree plantations on agricultural land

A replicated, site comparison study in 2006–2007 at 14 farms in New South Wales, Australia (Law et al 2011) found that tree plantations on agricultural land had similar bat activity and species richness as treeless paddocks, and lower bat activity, species richness and numbers of roosts than remnant native woodlands. Bat activity and the number of bat species recorded was similar between plantations (87 bat passes/night, 6–8 species) and paddocks (40 passes/night, 7 species), but higher in remnant woodland (650 bat passes/night, 10 species), although no statistical tests were carried out. Species composition was also similar in plantations and paddocks but differed in remnant woodland (data reported as statistical model results). Twenty-eight bat roosts were identified in remnant trees, but none in plantations. Twelve bat species were recorded in total (see original paper for data for individual species). Forty-four sites were surveyed across 14 farms (11 in remnant woodland, 27 in plantations, six in treeless paddocks). Plantations (2–40 ha) consisted of 1–4 Eucalyptus spp. and were 4–5 or 10 years old. Each of 44 sites was surveyed for two consecutive nights/site in September 2006 and February 2007. Ten bats were caught in harp traps and radio-tracked in late summer and spring 2008 at three farms.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)