Lava Beds National Monument: a stronghold for Townsend's big-eared bats

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Source:

Park Science, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Office of Education and Outreach, Volume 23, Issue 2, p.48-52 (2005)

Call Number:

A05FUH01IDUS

URL:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/parkscience/index.cfm?ArticleID=114

Keywords:

caves, Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii, disturbance, Lava Beds National Monument, monitoring, population trends, Townsend's big-eared bats

Abstract:

Lava Beds National Monument in northern California is geologically and ecologically remarkable because of its great variety of “textbook” volcanic formations. It is situated at the northeast flank of the Medicine Lake Volcano, at the junction of the Sierra-Klamath, Cascade, and Great Basin geological provinces. Its rugged, semiarid, high-elevation volcanic terrain and associated ecosystems support more than 560 species of plants and animals, including 14 species of bats. The numerous lava caves within the park provide habitat for bats, notably the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii), a federal and California State species of special concern.