UK marshlands are drastically disappearing which is resulting in the extinction of Britain’s gray long-eared bats. However, this may just be one consequence of increasing habitat loss. Britain’s Bat Conservation Trust discovered that there might be as few as 1,000 gray long-eared bats left in the UK because of the increasing habitat loss. These specific types of bats are considered one of Britain’s rarest of species. Most of the time they can be found hunting for moths in lowland meadows and marshlands. However, the changes being made to land management and farming practices have made their habitats slowly disappear. For instance, the loss of barns is causing many problems. The bats once lived life as cave dwellers and barns provided them a home similar to the caves. Now, agricultural polices have seen many barns torn down to make room for more farming land for crops, meaning the bats have fewer roosting and foraging sites resulting in a loss of maternal colonies. The Bat Conservation Trust estimates there are as few as eight confirmed active maternity colonies in England. All bat species in UK are legally protected and the protection spans both domestic and international legislation. Some solutions are for a team to identify, monitor, and protect the roosting sites. They must also commit to protecting the Bat’s habitat, including marshes, meadows, and grassland areas in the UK. It’s been estimated that the meadows in UK have decreased 97% since the 1930’s. Some barriers to these solutions are money and enough people willing to fight for the bats lives. In my opinion, they need to get a team out in the meadows and actively protect the bats and their homes. It takes them stopping the destruction of the meadows to save them. If the bats are facing extinction imagine how many other animals might be too they just haven’t realized it yet.
http://www.care2.com/causes/where-have-the-uks-meadows-gone-bats-would-like-to-know.html#ixzz2bf9HadRG
Payton, I agree that something must be done in order to keep Britain’s gray long-eared bat population thriving. These bats will most likely become extinct if nothing is done to protect them and the habitat that they require. While doing some research on these rare creatures, I discovered another article that provided additional information on these bats. Orly Razgour studied the gray long eared bat for her PhD at Bristol University, she said: "The problem is that the bats' hunting habitats are vanishing and colonies are becoming ever more isolated. Intensive farming over the decades has meant that the lowland meadows and marshes the bats favour are harder to find," backing up your article’s assertion that “now, agricultural policies have seen many barns torn down to make room for more farming land for crops, meaning the bats have fewer roosting and foraging sites resulting in a loss of maternal colonies.” The bats help control Britain’s bug population, as they are insectivorous and they deserve a chance of survival just as much as any other species. I totally agree that a devoted group of people must actively protect these animals in order for them to have a possibility of survival. Opportunely, Dr. Razgour is already collaborating with the Bat Conservation Trust, but saving the bats will be a trying task.
ReplyDeleteLink to the other article: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/05/grey-long-eared-bats-conservationists
First off, I can see how they got the name long-eared bats! The fact that they are on the brink of extinction is alarming. As has been seen losing one animal can dramatically affect the food chain. I feel as if society isn’t taking this situation as seriously because the gray long-eared bat isn’t a prominent or well-known animal. This, however, should not be an excuse. Like Emily, said if nothing is done to protect them and their habitat they will more than likely become extinct. Habitat destruction is happening much too often in today’s world. Animals’ homes are being destroyed leaving them with no place to live and thrive. I agree with your solution Payton, a team needs to be sent to the gray long-eared bats’ habitat as soon as possible. Ideally the team would help the bats get back to a healthy population once again. No matter the solution it needs to be put in place quickly before the population of the gray long-eared bats gets any lower.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely an issue seen reaching across the world in many locations. There is growth, but nowhere to go except the farmland and fields! With an exploding population, Britain has to be very careful where and where not to develop in order to save species such as these long-haired bats from extinction. Common other places that are experiencing this is Germany, Japan, Italy, and minor asian nations.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t realize Britain's gray long-eared bats are becoming extinct. I think it's wrong that the government allows land management and farming practice to destroy their habitats even though bats are legally protected. I agree that something needs to be done to stop their extinction. Save the meadow, build bat habitats, do anything to save the gray long-eared bats from becoming extinct.
ReplyDelete