Advantages and disadvantages of ALAN on several bat species in Europe.

Hormes, Dide (2021) Advantages and disadvantages of ALAN on several bat species in Europe. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) has been a widespread phenomenon in the last decades, affecting bat species in different ways. The focus of this review is to determine which European bat species are most vulnerable to ALAN by using multiple studies on bat behaviour to identify advantages and disadvantages of ALAN. Based on their behaviour around ALAN the bat species can be classified into 4 groups, namely medium-sized fast-flying bats (Nyctalus and Epesticus species); small fast-flying bats (Pipistrellus species); maneuverable slow-flying bats (Myotis and Plecotus species) and bats foraging above water (Myotis daubentonii and M. dasycneme). Myotis and Plecotus species are light-deterred. The cause is the increased predation risk around ALAN, which especially affects slow-flying species. Their light avoiding behaviour can lead to habitat fragmentation, less available roosting places, less available foraging places, less prey availability and a shorter activity period. Nyctalus, Epesticus and Pipistrellus species are light-opportunistic species. They exploit the accumulation of insects around lights, which leads to an increased food intake. Lights attract insects from a distance, depleting the darker areas of these insects. This vacuum cleaner effect negatively influences Myotis and Plecotus species. In conclusion, light-opportunistic species experience the most advantages from ALAN, while light-deterred species experience mainly disadvantages.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Helm, B.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2021 08:15
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2021 08:15
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/25415

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