Draft:Bats and Their Impact on Ecosystems

Bats, members of the Mammalian order Chiroptera, are small, nocturnal flying mammals renowned for their echolocation ability.

They use echolocation to navigate and locate their food in the dark. With over 1,400 species, bats consist of the second largest order of Mammalia. These creatures are irreplaceable to different ecosystems worldwide, serving as pollinators and seed dispersers for numerous plants, making them a keystone species. Their role in controlling insect population is also crucial, as they help maintain the balance of various ecosystems by preying on insects that could potentially be pests and threats to varying people and places.

Beyond their ecological contributions, bats face significant challenges. Habitat loss and deforestation threaten their natural environments. Fungal diseases, like white-nose syndrome, have also decimated bat populations. Additionally, the decline in insect and plant populations poses a further risk to the survival of bats. However, despite all these threats, the ecological importance of bats still remains, and needs to continue, as they continue to play a vital role in sustaining the biodiversity and health of ecosystems all around.

About The Bat

Bats are the only mammal that can truly fly, unlike other mammals which use a form of gliding to maneuver the air. These winged mammals can be traced back 50 million years ago where the first bat like creature fossils have been dated to (Smithsonian Institution). They have since become an important species in many fields of research and study. Humans have been able to study bats to discover different types of vectors that diseases can be transmitted from as well as how vaccines can be developed against them. People have been able to study bats because they are not exclusive to any part of the world. Human presence in bat ecosystems has been able to help increase populations for at least 12 endangered species (US Department of the Interior). The only locations on Earth that bats are not found are the Arctic and large deserts because these conditions are too harsh. These areas also lack the proper materials for bat nutrition such as insects, fruits, and small animals. Bats have many different diets depending on the availability of resources. The conditions that bats can live in can vary greatly between species. This can also be seen through their behavior patterns with some species of bats migrating while others hibernate. Sizes also vary by different bat species with some measuring as small as 1-3 inches and others with wingspans that can reach 6 feet (Bats 101). Being nocturnal creatures, bats developed echolocation which is the ability to use ultrasonic waves to “see” in the dark. The sounds bounce off objects, and the bats can interpret them and locate them in complete darkness.

Bats, being a keystone species because of their impact on some plants' populations, is important to note. These flying mammals help to shelter some plants from the insects that would otherwise ravage them. Bats are pollinators and a seed dispersal method for some species of plants. The seeds are dispersed through the process of digestion and defecation. This bat dung, also known as guano, can be used as a plant fertilizer and seed habitat. Bats are important for many agricultural and reforestation movements because of the wide range of area bats can cover (Bats 101). The relationships that bats have with their environment can take many forms. Some plants these bats are important to are reliant on bat populations for survival. This is important to note because at least 80 types of medicine come from bat reliant plant species (US Department of the Interior).

Bats' Impact on Ecosystems

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems by influencing both biotic and abiotic relationships. Their interactions with other animals and the environment highlight their importance as keystone species.

Bats engage in mutualistic relationships, such as those with plants for pollination, and seed dispersal. For instance, the long-nosed bat is critical for pollinating agave plants, ensuring the survival of both the bats and the plants (Fleming et al., 2001). Many plants, including agave and baobab trees, that bloom at night depend on nocturnal bats for pollination. This mutualistic relationship demonstrates the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems. It also underscores the significant role bats play in maintaining plant biodiversity. Bats collect nectar from different plants to provide them with energy to travel long distances. For example, the long-nosed bat used nectar from agave plants to migrate from Central Mexico to the southwest U.S. In return, bat help the plants spread nectar and pollinate other plants. This helps plants reproduce. Also, plants eat nectar and pollen while seeds are often consumed. Also, bats eat fruits and scatter the seeds across the globe, which helps spread plant species and encourages biodiversity and forest regeneration. Bat’s digestive systems often raise the rates at which seeds germinate can occur, which then helps to maintain plant populations. This provides the bat with a food source, then when it defecates, the dung serves as a fertilizer and spreads those seeds collected while consuming the nectar or fruit. Another animal relationship is between bats and insects. When bats eat the insects it in turn helps prevent the spread of diseases like malaria. Bats control these insects that become detrimental around agricultural crops and therefore are crucial in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. All these are examples of mutualistic relationships where both bats and the other organism benefit. However, not all relationships work together for good.

In addition to mutualism, bats also participate in parasitic relationships, such as bats and viruses. Bats are known reservoirs for viruses which are all too familiar with the coronavirus. They can then spill over into other species, including humans (Calisher et al., 2006). While this relationship is often viewed negatively, it highlights the complexity of ecological interactions and the importance of understanding these dynamics to prevent diseases that spread from animal to human. Bats can contract diseases through various means. If they come in contact with an infected animal, consume contaminated food or water, or if they are bitten by a parasite like ticks and fleas, the disease can transfer and then become a virus. Sometimes, the bat is the carrier of the disease and does not get effected. However, when bats then encounter another animal or humans, these viruses can transfer, therefore potentially causing an outbreak. The bats have a strong immune system that often allows them to carry these pathogens without showing symptoms, which is why they can then transfer the diseases to other organisms. The spread to humans often occurs through intermediate hosts, such as livestock or wild animals, which act as a bridge between bats and humans. The study of these interactions can lead to better management practices and preventative measures to protect both wildlife and human populations.

Commensalism is another type of relationship bats engage in, where one species benefits without harming the other. For example, some bat species roost in trees or caves without causing any significant damage to these structures. In turn they receive shelter and protection. This relationship illustrates how bats can utilize their environment around them, in ways that do not detrimentally affect other organisms. Guano builds up in caverns and serves as a rich supply of nutrients for a variety of species that live there, such as fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates. This nutrient cycle highlights the ecological significance of bats by supporting a unique diverse ecology within the caves.

Bats contribute to nutrient cycling, pest control, and maintaining the structure of ecological communities. As keystone species, their presence or absence can significantly impact an ecosystem's stability and biodiversity. The sum of these interactions keeps biodiversity in balance with the surroundings and keeps no predator or prey from taking on an excessively dominant role. Bats have a major influence on humans, particularly in agriculture, and assist in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by promoting the growth and survival of other creatures and plants. Their pollination activities increase fruit production, their natural pest management saves billions on crop protection, and their seed dispersal promotes the health of forests. As a result, the ecological services that bats provide to both human economy and natural ecosystems are beneficial. Therefore, by understanding and preserving bat populations, the health of bats can be ensured. Protecting bats and their habitats is essential for maintaining the intricate web of life that supports the diverse ecological processes that bats are a part of.

How Bats Impact Human Agriculture

Bats and humans have negative and positive impacts towards one another. Bats were once divided from human interactions which prevented negative side effects from happening. Deforestation and wildlife trade are important factors behind bats spreading viruses to humans. However, bats have unique immune systems to where they can have many different viruses without getting sick. This can help humans with the development of different vaccines as well as preventing outbreaks of dangerous diseases since bats are reservoirs of many viruses that are pathogenic (Calisher et al. 2006).

Depending on the bat and their food source, bats can control populations of insects and rodents that feed on crops. This helps maintain crop health and longevity and decreases harmful pesticides and insecticides, which saves agriculture in the U.S billions of dollars per year. By being a natural pesticide and insecticide, bats help the population growth of useful insects that are caught in the crossfire, like the Mantis. Mantis eats annoying insects like mosquitos and flies, another natural form of biological control. An additional benefit of bats to agriculture would be the soil. As more biological processes are being used, the soil health is more nutrient based. Not only do bats impact agriculture, but they also contribute to technological advances in society. Bats have influenced some of our engineering due to their aerodynamic bodies and echolocation. These savings are indirectly and directly supported by bats for our economy

Conclusion/Future Work

Bats play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity. As nocturnal creatures, their behavior and diet, which includes insects and dispersing seeds, significantly impact their environments. As keystone species, bats contribute to soil fertilization through their dung and help maintain biodiversity by supporting various mutualistic relationships. Their impact extends to huma agriculture, by reducing pest population, therefore minimizing the need for chemical pesticides. Without bats, ecosystems could face imbalances, leading to increased pests and disrupted plant regeneration. Bats’ interactions, whether mutualistic or parasitic, contribute to the intricate web of animal-to-animal relationships. The absence of bats could lead to negative consequences, including increased insect population, disrupted ecosystems, and potential agricultural losses. Moreover, bats have inspired technological advancements, showcasing their broader influence on human innovation and underscoring their broader significance beyond only ecological roles.

Future research should delve deeper into specific ecological roles that bats play, particularly in pest control and seed dispersal. Understanding how environmental changes, such as deforestation and wildlife trading, affect bat populations, is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Furthermore, studying the potential for bats to spread viruses and finding ways to mitigate these risks are essential for safeguarding public health. This will hopefully prevent something like the pandemic from happening with bats again, or at least to that extent. Conservation efforts should focus on habitat protection and restoration to ensure that bat populations remain stable and continue to provide their invaluable ecological services. This study captivates the importance and need for continued research to find the most efficient ways in protecting these animals. Within scientific knowledge, these common ideas are found in research, however, understanding bats in more detail and identifying more effects bats have on the ecosystem can significantly affect the environment for the future. Understanding the ecological roles bats play, and their importance to natural ecosystems, can impact the overall well-being of humans altogether.

Resources/References

Journals

Calisher, C. H., Childs, J. E., Field, H. E., Holmes, K. V., & Schountz, T. (2006). Bats: Important reservoir hosts of emerging viruses. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19(3), 531–545. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00017-06

Fleming, T. H., Geiselman, C., & Kress, W. J. (2009). The evolution of bat pollination: A phylogenetic perspective. Annals of Botany, 104(6), 1017–1043. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcp197

Photos

Bats and birds control tortricid pest moths in South African macadamia. (n.d.). photograph.

Bat | Description, Habitat, Diet, Classification, & Facts. (n.d.). photograph

Why bats carry viruses that have higher fatality rates in humans than other animals. (n.d.). photograph.

Websites

“Animal Diversity Web.” ADW: Bat Wings and Tails animaldiversity.org/collections/mammal_anatomy/bat_wings/. Accessed 24 July 2024.

“13 Awesome Facts about Bats.” U.S. Department of the Interior, 20 Oct. 2021, www.doi.gov/blog/13-facts-about-bats.

“Bats 101.” Bat Conservation International, 9 Apr. 2024, www.batcon.org/about-bats/bats-101/.

“Benefits of Bats.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/subjects/bats/benefits-of-bats.htm. Accessed 25 July 2024.

Illsley, C. L. (2018, December 10). Where do bats live?. WorldAtlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-do-bats-live.html

Kazilek. (2009, November 5). Bat Food. kazilek. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/bat-food

Kössl, M., & Hechavarría, J. (2018, April 13). Echolocation: Smart bats click twice. eLife. https://elifesciences.org/articles/36561

Rogin, Ali, and Andrew Corkery. “Why Rising Interactions between Bats and Humans Pose Major Global Health Risks.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 1 July 2023, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-rising-interactions-between-bats-and-humans-pose-major-global-health-risks

Role of bats in our ecosystems. BATS WITHOUT BORDERS. (n.d.-b). https://www.batswithoutborders.org/role-of-bats-in-our-ecosystems.html

Smithsonian Institution. “Bat Facts.” Smithsonian Institution, www.si.edu/spotlight/bats/batfacts. Accessed 23 July 2024.

ThisWeekInLibraries. “The Structure and Function of a Bat Skeleton: An Overview.” This Week in Libraries, 31 Dec. 2023, thisweekinlibraries.com/the-structure-and-function-of-a-bat-skeleton-an-overview/.

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.-a). Echolocation. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bats/echolocation.htm