Bird and Nature Club: "Bats of Wyoming"

Bats are an important component of biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide. They are integral in many ecosystem services as pollinators and seed-dispersers for many plant species. Bats prey on insects, many of which cause significant agricultural losses and threaten human health. Many bat species have undergone large population declines and are faced with increasing risks of extinction. For example, of the 47 bat species known to occur in the United States, six are currently listed as “Endangered” and one is listed as “Threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Observed population declines across the globe have many causes including habitat loss and alteration, disease, and renewable energy development. Arguably, the most prevalent threat to bats in North America today is White-nose Syndrome (WNS). Caused by a fungal pathogen the disease affects hibernating bats, the disease has killed at least several million bats.  In Wyoming, 18 bat species have been documented and comprise approximately 15% of Wyoming’s mammal species making the group an important component of the state’s biodiversity. A large proportion of bat species found in Wyoming are considered special status species by land and wildlife agencies in the state. Specifically, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) considers 10 of these as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) includes 4 on their Sensitive Species list. Despite the relatively large proportion of bat species with some level of special conservation status, bats have been poorly studied in Wyoming. However, in light of realized ecosystem services and large declines from persecution, habitat loss, and disease, bat specific research has increased globally and in Wyoming.

Citation: Abernethy, I.M., 2019. Bats of Wyoming 2018 project report. Prepared for the USDI Bureau of Land Management by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.

About the presentation

Numerous bat species in North America are facing severe population declines due to anthropogenic stressors such as habitat loss, climate change and the introduction of disease. While research on bats has been incredibly informative for conservation, most research has been conducted in the eastern portion of the continent, where bats are more easily accessible (i.e., in caves and mines during winter). Bats in the west are just as susceptible to these threats, but information regarding their ecology is lacking. Researchers in the Bernard Research Lab at the University of Wyoming are working to fill knowledge gaps related to bat ecology, behavior, and persistence. Specifically, we are working to better understand where at-risk species roost during summer, how they utilize our novel landscape, and how they are affected by various environmental stressors. In this talk, Dr. Bernard will provide a primer of what makes bats special and unique to study, as well as provide a peek into what her lab has been helping uncover in an attempt to save the region’s bats!

About the presenter
 

Dr. Riley Bernard is an applied wildlife ecologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming. Her research focuses on the ecology and behavior of cryptic species on topics such as foraging, diet, competition, invasive species interactions, and the effects of disease on community structure. She also uses tools from Decision Science to ensure the questions she seeks to answer provide the best information for wildlife and natural resource managers to make tractable and robust decisions.  Riley has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee and a. M.Sc. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawai`i Hilo. She is aPast-President of Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society, the Program Director for the North American Society for Bat Research and has been named University of Wyoming Provost’s Term Professor for 2024 – 2027.  You can view the Bernard Lab's website HERE.