Street lighting disturbs commuting bats

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Anthropogenic disturbance is a major cause of worldwide declines in biodiversity. Understanding the implications of this disturbance for species and populations is crucial for conservation biologists wishing to mitigate negative effects. Anthropogenic light pollution is an increasing global problem, affecting ecological interactions across a range of taxa and impacting negatively upon critical animal behaviors, including foraging, reproduction, and communication. Almost all bats are nocturnal, making them ideal subjects for testing the effects of light pollution. Previous studies have shown that bat species that are adapted to foraging in open environments feed on insects attracted to mercury vapor lamps. For this study (UK), the authors use an experimental approach to provide the first evidence of a negative effect of artificial light pollution on the commuting behavior of a threatened bat species. High-pressure sodium lights that mimic the intensity and light spectra of streetlights were installed along commuting routes of lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros). Bat activity was reduced dramatically, and the onset of commuting behavior was delayed in the presence of lighting, with no evidence of habituation. These results demonstrate that light pollution may have significant negative impacts upon the selection of flight routes by bats.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology