Protecting and managing underground sites for bats

Protecting and managing underground sites for bats

EUROBATS Publication Series No 2

"Underground sites, such as caves, aban doned mines, fortifications and tunnels, are important habitats for bats right across Europe. In the north, they are used primarily for hibernation as they provide the sheltered conditions bats need. In the south, where underground temperatures are warmer, they are used throughout the year for both breeding and hibernation. The most important sites may be used by many thousands of bats, though sites used by even small numbers can be re gionally important. Unfortunately, many underground sites have an uncertain future. Some are filled in, blocked up or converted for other uses, others are opened for uncontrolled tour ism or are heavily disturbed by unauthor ised visitors. In some cases, the loss of a single site could affect bats over an area of many thousands of square kilometres. Recognising the need to conserve and manage these sites, EUROBATS set up a project to catalogue the most important underground sites in Europe and has pre pared this practical guide to help Parties and Range States protect and manage them in a way that will take account of the needs of the bats. "

Electronic publication: ISBN 978-92-95058-03-3