Evaluating Bat Diversity in Disturbed and Undisturbed Locations of West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle

Julia Purks*, Christopher Lloyd*, and Diana Barber
Department of Biological Sciences, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV 26074

Presentation Category: Biological Sciences (Poster Presentation)

Student’s Major: Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

Bat populations are declining due to habitat loss and the spread of the deadly fungal pathogen, white-nose syndrome. Increased studies on wild bat populations and their diversity are necessary to ensure their survival. Bat diversity and activity levels are understudied in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. For our study, sixteen sites were selected (four in each county: Ohio, Brooke, Hancock, and Marshall). Using mobile infrasonic bat detectors, bat calls were detected from different species at each location while walking a 1-kilometer transect after sunset. In addition, stationary recorders were placed for a week in each county. Sites were, and still are, being evaluated based on the number of species recorded at each site. Our null hypothesis suggests that sites/transects will not show any statistical difference of bat diversity in disturbed and undisturbed locations of West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. Our alternative hypothesis formulates that bat diversity and activity will be statistically different between disturbed and undisturbed transects. This study is on-going and data is still being collected.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: a West Virginia SURE program