Western bats and mining

Product Type: Proceedings, Pages in

Year: 2000

Author(s): Bogan, M.A

Pages: 41-50

Suggested Citation: Bogan, M.A. 2000. Western bats and mining. In: K.C. Vories and T. Throgmorton (eds.). Proceedings of Bat Conservation and Mining: A Technical Interactive Forum held November 14-16, 2000 at the Airport Hilton, St. Louis, Missouri. Alton, IL; Carbondale, IL: U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining, and Coal Research Center, Southern Illinois University. p. 41-50.

Abstract

In North America north of Mexico, there are 45 species of bats and 32 of these species occur west of approximately 100 [degrees] W longitude. At least 22 of the western species are known to use abandoned mines to some extent and all 32 species could be affected by mine related activities. Two species are listed as Federally Endangered and another 11 taxa are species of concern. As a group, bats have a low reproductive potential and disturbance to colonies or loss of roosting or foraging habitat can dress population levels. Aspects of their natural history, roosting habitat, and foraging habitat are discussed herein and related to potential impacts of mining.