Insectivorous bats, irrigated cotton production and Indigenous vegetation remnants

This study has investigated the links between microbats, cotton production and native vegetation across three cotton production properties (56 km ²) adjacent to the Namoi River between Narrabri and Wee Waa on the north west plains of NSW.
Surveys of ultrasound echolocation was recorded through seasons and through the night to work out the behaviour patterns of the 14 to 17 species identified in the study. These species are grouped into guilds and were studied in cotton fields and vegetation remnants.
Bats reduce cotton pest moths Helicoverpa spp. through direct predation, and interruptions to their reproductive activities. This ecosystem service depends roosting sites and they need to be retained. The study shows the complex relationships between individual species and an assemblage of bats in an intensive agricultural landscape matrix. Many results have important implications in the management of both remnant vegetation and GM cotton varieties.

Project Objectives

• The key resources utilised by insectivorous bats within a broad-acre cropping system;
• The links between cotton production, insectivorous bats as predators of insect pests, and patches of remnant vegetation that may provide bat roosting sites; and
• The knowledge required by growers that will lead to the inclusion of insectivorous bats as beneficial organisms within Intergrated Pest Management strategies reducing chemical dependent practices, and provide strong drivers for more sustainable management of indigenous vegetation remnants as bat roost habitat adjacent to cotton fields.

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Insectivorous bats, irrigated cotton production and Indigenous vegetation remnants. [Online] (Updated June 23rd, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/2971 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 02:53:20 PM ].