Effectiveness of the Natura 2000 Network for the conservation of cave‐dwelling bats in a Mediterranean region

Link to Full Text

Download Full Text

Publication Date

January 2013

Abstract

The Natura 2000 Network represents the greatest step forward yet in conservation in Europe, although its effectiveness is sometimes questioned, especially in M editerranean regions. Bats are protected by the H abitat D irective and the presence of certain species is a prerequisite before S pecial A reas C onservation (SAC sites) can be included as such in the N atura 2000 N etwork. However, the effectiveness of SAC sites as regards the protection they offer to bats, especially cave‐dwelling species, remains to be evaluated. We assess the effectiveness of the SAC system for protecting the roosts of six species of cave‐dwelling bats and for protecting suitable and optimal habitats, using ecological niche models. Gap analyses indicate that c. 60% of roosts are protected by SAC sites, with values ranging from 45.8% for M iniopterus schreibersii to 72.2% for R hinolophus hipposideros . The protection offered to suitable and optimal habitats was found to be much lower in general, with values of below 40% in all cases. Our results emphasize the potential value of non‐natural caves (e.g. mines and buildings) for the conservation of bat populations, and the importance of assessing the efficiency of protected areas by considering distribution models that incorporate different types of information (e.g. roosts and use habitat) concerning species occurrence.

Keywords

Chiroptera, Ecological Niche Modelling, Suitable Habitat, Roost, Special Areas Of Conservation

Document Type

Article

Notes

Animal Conservation, Vol. 16, no. 5 (2013).

Identifier

SFS0073091_00001

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS