The lone bat species in Kutch district threatened by serious habitat destruction near Hamirsir Lake

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Bhuj is gradually recuperating from the devastating earthquake which claimed 12290 lives in 2001. Now, the developmental activities are at full swing, the wreckage is being replaced by new constructions. However, the developmental and rehabilitation activities around the Hamirsir lake in the Kachch district is adversely affecting the population of the lone bat species in the district in the Indian state of Gujarat, the Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus).

Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus)
Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Fondly called as 'Vagol' in local Guajarati, the bat species is the only large-sized fruit bat species found in Kachchh District. According to a research correspondent published in the latest issue of the Current Science Journal, the bat species has been using the small vegetation patches near the Harmisir Lake as a major roosting site. However, it is facing serious habitat destruction due to cutting of large trees in and around the lake as part of the reconstruction and developmental activities, says the correspondence reported by researchers at the Institute of Desert Ecology, Gujarat.

“The reconstruction and developmental initiatives have resulted in the cutting down of large trees which had provided shelter to the flying fox population in the past.  The natural habitat like forest patches and larger trees are disappearing due to rapid industrialization, urbanization” says the correspondence.

Disturbance from Laser shows

Moreover, the tourists activities in and around the lake are also taking a toll on the Indian flying fox population here. The influx of tourists and the resulting vehicular traffic are additional threats. According to the correspondence the laser light shows during the ‘Kutch Carnival’, a tourist fest, is also disturbing the Indian Flying Foxes in the area.

According to the correspondence, the wide presence of an invasive plant Prosopis juliflora, is also posing a major threat to the natural habitat of this bat species in Kutch district.

Conservation significance of Pteropus giganteus in Kutch

Earlier studies have shown that bats usually play a major role in pollination and seed dispersal of many plant species. Since it is the lone bat species in the district, it will be crucial in the pollination of many plants in the area. The disturbances caused to the habitat of the organism will thus take a toll on the population of many plants here thus bringing down the quality of the eco system, points out experts.

Though Indian Flying Fox is categorized under the Least Concern group in the Red Data book of IUCN, experts point out that the population trend of this organism is decreasing.

Calling for immediate attention towards the conversation statusof bats, the correspondence says that the bats have been given a least conservation priority in the area.  

“The time has come for the conservation of all animal groups, including the Flying Fox for maintaining ecological balance and conservation of biodiversity”, says the correspondence. 

Do you think conserving Indian flying foxes in Kutch as important? Share your views in the comments. 

Climate change to badly affect bat life, says new research review

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Climate change is speculated to affect almost all living creatures on the earth. Some will be severely hit due to their close relation to the climatic conditions of their habitat while some other may adapt and survive these changes. Bats, however, make it to the first category, points out a new review published by the journal Mammal Review.

According to the study, changing climate pattern is already taking its toll on many bat species. Based on a review of existing empirical data on the impact of climate change on bats, the scientists point out the bats are yet to face worst things. 

Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus),
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

"Climate influences the biogeography of bats, their access to food, timing of hibernation, reproduction and development, frequency and duration of torpor and rate of energy expenditure", says the study. 

Analysing the data on the foraging, roosting, reproduction and biogeography of bats, in relation with extreme weather events and indirect effects of climate change, the review finds seven risk factors associated with bats as a result of climate change.

Bat risk factors in a changing climate

Bats distributed in geographically smaller ranges and high altitude and latitude ranges will be severely affected since climate change will leave them with no other home to move on. Bats which are distributed in the areas which may come under water stress as a result of changing climatic conditions also will be victimised.

However, their eating habits also will risk certain types of bats. For example, aerial hawking bats which live on an insect diet will have to travel more to find food. Similarly, since they lack body adaptations to prevent water loss, they will have to fly more to quench thirst when the climate gets warmer. This will adversely affect feeding mothers more, points out the study.

The hibernation patterns will also be changed. Bats which are known to undergo torpor or temporary hibernation periods with minimal physiological activity to conserve energy will have to wake up from it earlier than usual, in warmer conditions. It may jumble up their energy conservation tactics.

The reproduction pattern may change, but need not be in negative direction, says the study. Though there is a lack of enough data to assess the impact on reproduction, the researchers think that a warmer climate may help females to give birth and grow their child earlier than usual.

Threatened bats species under risk

The study has used the case of European and north-west African bats to identify the risk associated with climate change. It finds that 38 out of 47 species among these bats will be affected by climate change. Among them, 11 species which live on tress or caves will be severely hit, says the study.

All these bat species are presently categorized as endangered, critically endangered or vulnerable by IUCN. So their status is less likely to improve with the climate change, suggest the study.

Read more on our coverage on climate change 
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Fig trees triggers forest regeneration effectively, reveals new research study

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Ever thought of why we have a lot of fig trees around in Asian sacred grooves? A recent research finding says that it may be due to the tree’s exceptional ecological power to help regenerate forest around it.

Ficus benghalensis [photo courtsey:romana klee]

A research study carried out in populated areas in Tirunelveli district of Indian state of TamilNadu has revealed that they can help forest regeneration even near highly human populated areas.

The credit of the forest regeneration capacity of fig trees goes to their thick canopy and small fruits during their fruiting period. The researchers found that both these factors attract major frugivorous species. The frequent visit of frugivores enhances deposition of seeds of other tree species under fig canopies, triggering forest regeneration.

The researchers were able to record at least nine birds species including house crow (Corvus splendens), Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotuscafer), and common mynah (Acridotheres tristis) and one bat species Pteropus giganteus, the Indian flying fox,  visiting the Ficus benghalensis trees in the area under study. All these are known primary dispersal agents for south Asian ecological systems.

The phenomenon points to the ecological benefits of fig trees, especially in connection with the survival of sacred grooves near human populated areas. Since the figs have small fruits, it helps them to attract more frugivores species, while other fruiting tress found in sacred grooves usually have bigger seeds.

The study examined if the frugivores visit to Ficus trees is not affected by human disturbance. It also found that the seedling density is higher under the fig canopy than open areas near human populated areas.

Earlier studies have shown that sacred grooves often show higher plant biodiversity than usual wildlife reserves. The present study shows that Ficus trees in sacred grooves have a big influence on this high plant biodiversity.