Bat Ecology in Western Washington's National Parks
The expansion of the bat fungal disease White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) to the Pacific Northwest is centered in western Washington. However, not much is known about bat distribution and activity in and around Washington’s National Parks.
A study designed in close collaboration with the National Park Service will determine how bats are using the North Coast and Cascades Network of national parks and to help parks prepare for and respond to the spread of WNS in bats in the region. FRESC scientists have conducted acoustic bat surveys in Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks that are compatible with the North American Bat Monitoring Program, or NABat, since 2019. To do this, we deploy specialized microphones that capture species-specific high frequency calls of bat species at night.
This study provides baseline occupancy and distribution information and contributes to local, regional, and range-wide knowledge of activity of multiple bat species, including at least two state-listed species of special concern. Researchers are analyzing bat occupancy patterns in relation to season, precipitation, and elevation gradients in these parks. This analysis will help researchers design a protocol for long-term monitoring of bat populations in the Pacific Northwest’s National Parks.
The expansion of the bat fungal disease White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) to the Pacific Northwest is centered in western Washington. However, not much is known about bat distribution and activity in and around Washington’s National Parks.
A study designed in close collaboration with the National Park Service will determine how bats are using the North Coast and Cascades Network of national parks and to help parks prepare for and respond to the spread of WNS in bats in the region. FRESC scientists have conducted acoustic bat surveys in Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks that are compatible with the North American Bat Monitoring Program, or NABat, since 2019. To do this, we deploy specialized microphones that capture species-specific high frequency calls of bat species at night.
This study provides baseline occupancy and distribution information and contributes to local, regional, and range-wide knowledge of activity of multiple bat species, including at least two state-listed species of special concern. Researchers are analyzing bat occupancy patterns in relation to season, precipitation, and elevation gradients in these parks. This analysis will help researchers design a protocol for long-term monitoring of bat populations in the Pacific Northwest’s National Parks.