Effects of climate change on bats and their possible implications on cave ecosystems
2016
Abris, M.I.
Bats are temporary residents of cave ecosystems that play a major role in the ecosystem's ecology. Specifically, for tropical caves where they are most abundant, bats provide the bulk of energy, in the form of bat guano, that is utilized inside caves. These guano deposits become a food source for a majority of cave fauna including fishes, crustaceans and coprophagous salamanders. Bat guano also generates rich and complex invertebrate communities in caves. In the past years, there is an observed decline in bat population due to anthropogenic activities. Climate change, one easily observable consequence of which is global warming, has taken its toll on bat populations. Their being sensitive to environmental insults and stresses such as global warming is further amplified by their small and slow-breeding character. Bat absence or population decline in caves can be detrimental. It results in nutrient losses in caves. Food webs in caves are highly influenced by bat guano. Guano forms the base of these food webs and the absence of bats which are major suppliers of guano can trigger a collapse in the food web. In general, it is important to note the negative impacts and possible effects of a decline or complete absence of cave-dwelling bat populations in caves because caves are home to a lot of endemic and threatened animal species. Caves are crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and provides us with invaluable scientific, economic, educational, cultural, historical and aesthetic values.
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