Orbis Environmental Consulting

Menu

HABITAT USE BY BATS IN TWO INDIANA FORESTS PRIOR TO
SILVICULTURAL TREATMENTS FOR OAK REGENERATION

Jeremy J. Sheets, Joseph E. Duchamp, Megan K. Caylor, Laura D’Acunto, John O. Whitaker, Jr.,
Virgil Brack, Jr., and Dale W. Sparks1

 

Abstract.—As part of a study examining the effects of silvicultural treatments for oak regeneration on habitat use by bats, we surveyed forest stands prior to the implementation of treatments in two state forests in Indiana. Interior forest sites corresponding to areas designated for silvicultural treatments were surveyed for 2 nights each during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Additionally, three types of existing forest openings (pre-existing harvest openings, forest edges, and open corridors) were surveyed during 2007 in the same area. We assessed bat habitat use by recording echolocation calls using ANABAT II bat detectors. We characterized a location as experiencing high levels of activity, experiencing low levels of activity, or being unused by a species of bat based on recorded call minutes. We used occupancy models to account for differences in detection probability.
Stands designated for uneven-aged harvest had a greater probability of experiencing high activity by a species of bat when compared to areas designated for other silvicultural treatments. Existing forest openings had probabilities of high activity levels that were similar to each other, but high activity levels in these habitats were less likely for Indiana myotis (Myotis sodalis) and northern myotis (M. septentrionalis) when compared to forest interior locations. At interior forest sites, northern myotis were more likely than other species to have high activity levels. These results provide some insight into the potential responses of bats to forest management practices and serve as a baseline for future experimental treatments.

 

 Click here to download .pdf 

 

Click Here for a list of other informative articles by Jeremy Sheets

<Back to articles

Tessa M. Aby-Kruger

Botanist

Tessa is a geologist, botanist and vegetation ecologist with over 10 years of experience managing and conducting projects, specializing in ecological and floristic inventories, rare plant surveys, and vegetation monitoring. She also performs wetland evaluations and is a guided hike leader.

Jeremy Sheets

Senior Wildlife Biologist, Vice President

Jeremy is a founding member of Orbis and directs its ecological and wildlife surveys, assessment and planning services, and brings over 20 years’ experience conducting various wildlife surveys with a focus on bat ecology and urban wildlife management.


Jeremy has managed wildlife projects for private firms and the public sector including for wind facilities, pipelines, roadways, military bases, and airports. Jeremy is proficient in wildlife management/control techniques, wildlife identification, threatened and endangered species, and surveying and analysis techniques for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. Jeremy is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologists who develop Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHA) and Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP) for airports. Jeremy is qualified to inspect erosion, sediment and stormwater plans, and their implementation. Furthermore, Jeremy is federally permitted to conduct endangered bat surveys in USFWS Regions 3, 4, 5, and 6 and includes acoustic surveys, mist-netting, and radio telemetry.

J Ryan Duddleson​

Senior Archaeologist, Principal

Ryan is a founding member of Orbis and directs its cultural resource management services, and brings over 20 years’ experience helping clients assess and minimize the risk of impacting places with cultural value.


Ryan works with public sector clients including federal, state, and municipal government, as well as private firms in energy, transportation, industrial, and development sectors. He also coordinates with agencies and consulting parties involved with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and other related cultural resource laws and regulations. He performs archival research, analysis, and excavation. Ryan also has experience in artifact and archival curation. He has applied innovative techniques to traditional artifact analysis, such as examining organic residues from prehistoric pottery to determine prior contents. Ryan also has experience with human remains in archaeological settings. Ryan meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation, 48 FR. 44716 and is a Qualified Professional Archaeologist in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.