WINTER ROOST SELECTION OF EASTERN RED BATS AND IMPACTS OF NON-GROWING SEASON PRESCRIBED FIRE ON FORAGING ACTIVITY OF FOREST ROOSTING BATS IN TENNESSEE

With an increase in wind energy development and continued deforestation and habitat degradation, eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis; LABO) and other migratory foliage roosting bats (hoary bat [Lasiurus cinereus; LACI], silver-haired bat [Lasionycteris noctivagans; LANO]) are at risk of severe population declines, potentially leading to the need for protection under the Endangered Species Act. While studies have been done examining the ecology of these species, there is still a lack of research on winter roosting and foraging behaviors. This research aims to fill some of those knowledge gaps by 1) Examining roost use (i.e., trees vs. litter) and determining roost fidelity of LABO in forest stands during late fall, winter, and early spring, 2) Exploring winter roost selection by LABO at three spatial scales (roost, patch, and landscape), and 3) Examining the short-term effect of dormant season (October – April) prescribed fire on forest roosting bat activity in contrast with the activity in unburned stands by conducting acoustic monitoring of bat echolocation calls. During the winter of 2022/23 I tracked 9 radio-tagged LABO to 20 diurnal roosts, including 1 snag. While stand level characteristics did not appear to influence winter roost selection, bats roosted closer to forest edge than random roosts (101.8 21.08; P = 0.029). Days spent in roosts increased as temperature decreased. From November 2022 to April 2023, we deployed SM4 mini bat acoustic detectors in 20 study sites to monitor bat activity in burned and unburned stands. Stands that had undergone prescribed burning had greater bat activity than stands that were not burned, with shelterwood release sites having a more significant increase in activity than savannas or native warm-season grass fields. While our research does provide some insight into winter roosting and foraging ecology of foliage roosting bats, more research is needed to fill knowledge gaps and conserve these species.