Cornell Forest Connect will hold 2 one-hour Bats, Understory Treatment and Green Tree Retention: Biodiversity and Forest Management webinars on September 21st at noon and 7 pm.
Insectivorous bats play important roles in forest ecosystems and their protection is critical. However, bat populations in North America, specifically Myotis species known as the “mouse-eared bats”, have declined rapidly and are threatened due to white-nose syndrome (WNS) and habitat degradation. Apart from mitigating WNS, we can also assist the recovery of imperiled Myotis bats by incorporating forest management strategies that improve summer roosting and foraging success.
Julia Rizzo and Dr. Vanessa Rojas from SUNY – ESF studied Myotis species at an experimental forest management site at SUNY-ESF Huntington Wildlife Forest in the Adirondack Park to determine the link between bat habitat use and forest structural characteristics. Their preliminary analyses show that forest variables such as canopy cover and sapling density affect probability of bat habitat use.
In these webinars, they will discuss future outcomes of this project that potentially impact forest management decision-making.
To participate in one of these webinars, obtain your registration ID via: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5IRFqn7oSYm5D-Vyqb8-3Q
If prompted for a password use “Cornell”.