The effectiveness of bat boxes as a continuous ecological functionality measure

Published source details Zahn A. & Hammer M. (2017) Zur Wirksamkeit von Fledermauskästen als vorgezogene Ausgleichsmaßnahme. ANLiegen Natur: Zeitschrift für Naturschutz und Angewandte Landschaftsökologie, 39, 27-35.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide bat boxes for roosting bats Action Link

Provide bat boxes for roosting bats

A replicated study prior to 2016 in 146 forests and parks in Bavaria, Germany and Austria (Zahn & Hammer 2017) found that 25 of 146 (17%) groups of bat boxes were used as maternity roosts, 61 of 146 (42%) were used regularly by individual bats, and 60 of 146 (41%) were used only occasionally by individual bats or were not used at all. Thirteen bat species were recorded using the bat boxes. Bat box use increased with time since installation (<5 years: 26–54% of box groups regularly used; >10 years: 83–98%) and the size of bat box groups (<10 boxes/group: 58% of box groups regularly used; >30 boxes/group: 100%). However, these results were not tested for statistical significance. A total of 6,500 bat boxes were installed in groups on trees in 146 forests and parks. Boxes were installed in three group sizes (with approximately a third of the 146 boxes in each): small (3–10 boxes), medium (11–30 boxes) or large (>30 boxes). Boxes were also installed at three different time periods (with approximately a third of the 146 boxes in each): <5 years, 5–10 years and >10 years before the survey. Details and dates of installation and bat box surveys were not reported.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)