The effect of a Welsh agri-environment scheme on bat activity: a large-scale study

Published source details Angell R.L., Langton S.D., MacDonald M.A., Skates J. & Haysom K.A. (2019) The effect of a Welsh agri-environment scheme on bat activity: a large-scale study. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 275, 32-41.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (e.g. agri-environment schemes) Action Link

Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (e.g. agri-environment schemes)

A replicated, paired sites study in 2009–2011 of 40–60 pairs of commercial farms in south Wales, UK (Angell et al 2019) found that agri-environment scheme farms had a similar occurrence and similar or lower activity of six bat species compared to conventional farms. Overall occurrence (proportion of transect sections with species present) and echolocation activity (counts of bat passes) did not differ significantly between agri-environment scheme farms and conventional farms for five of six bat species: common pipistrelles Pipistrellus pipistrellus, soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Daubenton’s bats Myotis daubentonii, greater horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros (data reported as statistical model results). For common noctules Nyctalus noctula, occurrence was similar on agri-environment scheme and conventional farms, but echolocation activity was 33% lower on agri-environment scheme farms. Pairs of agri-environment scheme farms (under scheme management for 3–11 years) and conventional farms were 2–26 km apart and matched by area, altitude, farm type and proximity to towns. Field transects were carried out at 60 pairs of farms, waterway transects at 40 pairs of farms, and static hedgerow surveys at 45 pairs of farms. Surveys were carried out twice/year between June and September in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)