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Part‐night lighting: implications for bat conservation
Author(s) -
Day J.,
Baker J.,
Schofield H.,
Mathews F.,
Gaston K. J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/acv.12200
Subject(s) - sunset , nocturnal , sunrise , midnight , geography , environmental science , night sky , ecology , meteorology , biology , physics , astronomy
Artificial nighttime lighting has many effects on biodiversity. A proposed environmental management option, primarily to save energy, is to alter the duration of night lighting. Using the greater horseshoe bat R hinolophus ferrumequinum as an example of a photophobic species, we explored roadside behaviour patterns throughout the night to assess the potential impact of part‐night lighting. We found a large primary peak in activity 1 h after sunset, followed by a smaller secondary peak before sunrise. Simulated part‐night lighting scenarios reveal that to capture a large proportion of bat activity, streetlights should be switched off before midnight. Current proposed uses of part‐night lighting are unlikely to capture natural peaks in activity for nocturnal species.