Status: Research is complete.
The final report is available HERE.
The manual of best management practices is available HERE.
Presentation slides summarizing the project are available HERE.
Background
Bridges are an important resource for bat roost habitats in many states across the U.S., primarily due to increasing pressures from forest habitat loss, wildfire, and spread of white-nose syndrome. The Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat are listed as Federally Endangered and Federally Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), respectively. Given requirements within the ESA, a better understanding of artificial bat roost designs, long-term maintenance needs, criteria for monitoring success, and best design practices is needed to guide mitigation decisions made by transportation professionals. Information is available on existing bridge designs and bat roost use and features. However, an analysis of transportation structures and site-specific factors that influence the performance of bat roost mitigation is needed.
Research Objective:
The purpose of this research is to conduct an analysis of transportation structures and site-specific environmental factors that influence the performance of bat roost mitigation in order to inform best mitigation design practices, and to develop a manual of best design practices.
