Abstract

MENDES, Poliana et al. Can forest regeneration methods affect local bat communities?. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2014, vol.21, n.2, pp.231-240. ISSN 0327-9383.

In tropical regions, where plant-animal interactions are widespread, the effectiveness of environmental restoration techniques is dependent on the animal species present and available for fruit and seed dispersal. Therefore, monitoring the local fauna can be a good indicator of the forest regeneration process. Our goal in this study was to verify whether areas r­forested by different regeneration methods in Morro da Vargem, municipality of Ibiraçu in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, present differences in bat species richness and composition, and in bat trophic guild number. We carried out 29 capture nights, between July 2006 and July 2007, being 6 nights in the Mata area (a pristine forest fragment), 6 nights in the Camará area (regeneration with some level of human intervention), 8 nights in the Bosque area (regeneration with some level of human intervention), and 9 nights in the Capoeira area (natural regeneration). We obtained 564 captures with 26 species. The estimated richness was greater in Bosque and Camará areas than in Capoeira and Mata. We found no differences between areas regarding species composition and trophic guilds. The lower species richness in the Mata area can be explained by its location, on a hilltop. On the other hand, the exotic plant species found in the Bosque area may provide resources year- round. The large home range of bat species and the proximity of the studied areas could explain the species composition and trophic guild similarity between the areas.

Keywords : Chiroptera; Environmental restoration; Secondary forest.

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