 Background:
Mines provide both winter and summer roosting
areas for bats. During the winter,
many abandoned mines contain areas
with constant, above-freezing temperatures
necessary for hibernation during the
winter. During summer, underground
mines may act as cold-sinks similar
to caves, protecting bats from extreme
summer temperatures while providing
shelter from predators. Subsequently,
closure of these mines without allowing
for continued bat use could prove disastrous
for certain species.
Location:
The Buckeye Army National Guard Training Area is located on the southwestern
end of the White Tank Mountains near Buckeye, Arizona.
Approach:
A number of inventory techniques were used including: monitoring the
entrances with infrared cameras, mist-netting (to confirm the species
present), and surveys in which a climber descends into the shaft to observe
the hibernation process.
Benefits:
 Typical
mine roosting bats of the area include the
Townsend's Big-eared (Corynorhinus townsendii),
Mexican Free-tailed (Tadarida brasiliensis),
Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer) and the California
Myotis (Myotis californicus). Mines in the
area may also be winter roosts for the
California Leaf-nosed (Macrotus californicus).
It is important to know, prior to any mine
closure or gating, the species composition
and relative abundance of bats using available
mine shafts. Closure of these mines without
allowing for continued bat use could prove
disastrous for certain species. It is essential
that we obtain information regarding bat
use in abandoned mines everywhere because
there are alternatives to permanent mine
closure. The purpose of this project is to
determine the relative number and species
composition of bats using the abandoned mines
at the Army National Guard property in Buckeye,
Arizona.
For more information
contact:
Shawn Lowery, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
.
Phone: (520) 742-1911 E-mail: slowery@gf.state.az.us
Michael Ingraldi, Ph.D., Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
.
Phone: (928) 523-5625 E-mail: mingraldi@cybertrails.com
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