Changes of Bat Activity, Species Richness, Diversity and Community Composition Over an Altitudinal Gradient in the Soutpansberg Range, South Africa

• DOI: 10.3161/150811014x683246
• Publication Date: 2014-08-14T04:24:26Z
• Authors: Valerie M. G. Linden; Sina M. Weier; Ian Gaigher; Henry J. Kuipers; Martijn J. A. Wet...; Peter J. Taylor
• Keywords: Endemism

Bats are important indicator species which can help in identifying areas where conservation efforts should be concentrated and whether these affected by ongoing climate change. To elucidate factors limiting influencing the elevational distribution of bats a recognised biodiversity hotpot, Soutpansberg mountain range (in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve) northern South Africa, we collected data around Luvhondo Private Nature Reserve, catching acoustically monitoring over an altitudinal gradient from 900 to 1,748 m. A total 18 different could recorded. Two species, namely Pipistrellus hesperidus Chaerephon cf. ansorgei appeared present dominant at all altitudes. Activity, richness diversity significantly decreased with increasing altitude, whereas community composition was not related altitude no endemics either low or high were detected. It is likely that change caused other correlated such as vegetation type, area size, energy availability climatic differences. Our research demonstrated lower altitudes richer more diverse bat since highland have been discovered, area, regarding bats, ignore most susceptible human impacts leading habitat degradation due over-grazing, bush encroachment, cultivation denudation large trees for firewood collection.