Enriching agroecosystems with fruit-producing tree species favors the abundance and richness of frugivorous and nectarivorous bats in Veracruz, Mexico

Published source details Castro-Luna A.A. & Galindo-González J. (2012) Enriching agroecosystems with fruit-producing tree species favors the abundance and richness of frugivorous and nectarivorous bats in Veracruz, Mexico. Mammalian Biology, 77, 32-40.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Retain or plant native trees and shrubs amongst crops (agroforestry) Action Link

Retain or plant native trees and shrubs amongst crops (agroforestry)

A replicated, site comparison study in 2008–2009 of nine farms in Veracruz, Mexico (Castro-Luna & Galindo-González 2012) found that coffee plantations with a mix of shade species had more bats and bat species captured within them than coffee plantations with few shade species and little understorey or pastures. More fruit and nectar-eating bats and bat species were captured in coffee plantations with a mix of shade species (378 bats, 20 bat species) than in coffee plantations with few shade species and little understorey (64 bats, 10 bat species) or pastures (26 bats, 8 bat species). Three coffee plantations had a varied shade layer including fruit trees and native tree species. Three coffee plantations were shaded only by mainly shimbillo Inga spp. trees with few understorey species. Three pastures were cattle-grazed with introduced grass species and isolated trees. Nine farms (three of each type) were surveyed eight times across three different seasons between April 2008 and September 2009. Bats were captured using 10 mist nets/site placed end to end at ground level for 4 h from sunset.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)