PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Bat populations have declined in many parts of the EU and the loss of bat habitats in southern Poland is considered to be a threat to the regions bat species. There is particular concern in relation to the loss ofsummer and winter roosts within buildings. Remedial action is therefore required to redress bat habitat threats, which includes improving understanding among residents about the relevance of bat conservation work.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE PODKOWIEC+ project focused on 29 Natura 2000 sites in southern Poland, with the main objective being to boost the populations of protected bat species and improve their conservation status. The species targeted included the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) and the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), all of which are listed in the annexes of the EU Habitats Directive. This would be achieved through habitat restoration and improvement, with particular attention paid to strengthening the overall integrity of bat habitats by reducing threats around roosts and along connecting 'corridors' between different sites used by bats. To ensure a positive long-term impact, the project would use self-sustaining and/or low maintenance habitat management techniques.
These actions would be complemented by communication campaigns that promote a positive image of bats, tackle misconceptions, explain the consequences of biodiversity decline, and highlight the potential economic opportunities that can be gained from nature conservation activities.
RESULTS
The LIFE PODKOWIEC+ project increased the number of sites capable of housing bat colonies, took measures to protect winter roosts and improved habitat conditions along bat flyways. Initial monitoring indicates a positive impact on the populations of the 3 target species. By connecting project actions with the restoration of churches and historical buildings, LIFE PODKOWIEC+ has fostered a positive attitude towards the Natura 2000 network among the owners and managers of properties that had been renovated, and among parishioners and residents of towns where the project actions were carried out.
Major repair of the roof structure secured important bat roosts in 7 churches and 2 other old buildings in 9 towns in southern Poland. To protect the buildings from damage, the project also constructed 7 guano platforms to catch bat droppings. Significant effort went into ensuring that these works would last – including the use of high-quality materials with a lifespan of at least 80 years. It also involved outreach to win the trust and support of the owners and managers of the buildings, which was reflected in a number of them signing agreements to maintain the roosts for 30 years.
Metal grills were installed at the entrance to 3 caves used as winter roosts. This protects the bat populations from disturbance by people going in the caves. To improve conditions for the species in the summer, the project renovated a total of 60 bat shelters. Using infrared and ultrasonic technology, it mapped the flight routes of 55 bat colonies and applied this information to improve conditions along flyways to foraging areas, including by saving and planting trees and reducing light pollution.
The project contributed to the improvement of the conservation status of the species under the EU Habitats Directive. In 2013, the beneficiary monitored 103 sites and counted 6 635 lesser horseshoe bats, 4 230 greater mouse-eared bats and 1 394 Geoffroy's bats. In 2018, based on monitoring of 109 sites, there were 8 368 lesser horseshoe bats and 2 366 Geoffroy's bats; although the greater mouse-eared bat population had declined slightly (to 3 775 individuals) this could be connected to weather conditions at the time. Bat numbers and yearly fluctuations need to be interpreted carefully before any clear impact on conservation status and long-term population trends can be discerned.
The project team also successfully lobbied for the boundaries of a Natura 2000 network site ('Nietoperze Powiatu Gorlickiego') to be redrawn to include the refuge of the reproductive colony of the lesser horseshoe bat in the church in Ropa.
Renovation of the churches and other historic buildings has made them more attractive to tourists. And the bats themselves have become a tourist attraction. Stara Morawa Museum, one of the buildings where work was done, has installed a webcam in the attic to broadcast images from the bat colony to a display screen in the visitor area.
To strengthen the socio-economic impact, the project created a quality mark - 'Land of the lesser horseshoe bat' – which can be awarded to the institutions and “Golden Horseshoe Bat medal for individuals most active in supporting bat conservation locally.
Surveys of the inhabitants of the locations where the church roofs had been renovated found that 80-90% of the site owners or managers are positive about the presence of bats. They also showed that 90% of residents and 91% of parishioners connect the presence of bats and Natura 2000 sites with opportunities to restore churches and develop their towns.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
