Fenced conservation reserves have been incredibly successful in protecting many threatened mammals. But do they also help bats? Thanks to the support of FAME’s PhD Research Scholarship, conservation scientist Oli Aylen is answering this important question for the first time, in Australia’s arid zone.
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Using a combination of trapping, tracking, acoustic monitoring, DNA analysis and satellite data, Oli compared bat activity inside and outside fenced reserves. In short-term surveys, he found only weak evidence of a preference for the reserve, with bats favouring different areas throughout the night. However, when he analysed long-term data over seven years at the Wild Deserts project in NSW, a different pattern emerged
During drought recovery, bats tended to favour the reserve area, suggesting that these protected areas may become especially valuable when conditions are tough. Oli believes these possible benefits will only increase with time as the reserves become more established in the environment.
Oli also found that brown vegetation cover – a strong indicator of arid-zone health – accurately predicted bat activity, showing that bats could be used as a powerful indicator of ecosystem condition. In another surprising discovery, early DNA analysis of feral cat stomachs in arid regions revealed no evidence of cats eating bats, challenging previous assumptions about predation risk.
Photos: Trapping and tracking bat activity. (Credit: Oli Aylen)
So, do fenced reserves help bats? Oli’s findings suggest they can, but the benefits depend on the quality of habitat inside the fence and climate conditions. During La Niña (wetter) years, when conditions improve across the landscape, the advantages are less pronounced.
This year, Oli has had the opportunity and presented his work on the world stage, including at the International Bat Research Conference in Cairns and the Bat Conservation Trust National Conference in the UK.
This project highlights why FAME invests in emerging conservation leaders. By funding PhD research, we are not only generating vital scientific knowledge, we are training the next generation of conservationists who will shape Australia’s future biodiversity outcomes.
Learn more about the project
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