Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Biology, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Darlene Panvini
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Human development continues to alter natural landscapes, often with significant consequences for wildlife populations. Among the most sensitive taxa to such disturbances are bats, which serve vital ecological roles as insect predators, pollinators, and seed dispersers. Because bats depend on specific roosting and foraging habitats, even minor environmental changes can strongly influence their activity and diversity. A new road is proposed through an area of Warner Parks, Nashville, Tennessee which is otherwise untouched. This may affect the biodiversity and the populations of bats as a result. Wildlife Acoustic MiniBat 2 acoustic monitoring equipment was used to gather echolocation calls of bat species across 3 locations during October 2025: pristine site near the center of the park, roadside site, and the proposed road site. These recorded calls were analyzed using the Kaleidoscope software to identify species. By comparing species richness we can estimate a potential impact to bat populations in the otherwise untouched proposed site. Nine species were found, 8 at Proposed, 6 at Roadside, and 5 at Pristine. Three species were only found at Pristine, 2 of which are threatened.
Recommended Citation
Whiteside, Jackson; Fooks, Wyatt; and Little, Jeremy, "Potential Impacts of Construction on Bat Populations in Warner Parks, Nashville, Tennessee" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 289.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/289
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Other Animal Sciences Commons
