article · Journal of Tropical Ecology
This study examined how habitat loss and forest fragmentation influence bat populations in Kakamega Forest, western Kenya. By surveying edge and interior locations across three forest fragments of varying sizes and human disturbance levels, researchers captured nearly five thousand bats across twenty-six species. These bats represented four functional foraging groups: fruit eaters, forest-interior insect eaters, forest-edge insect eaters, and open-space insect eaters. The results reveal clear differences in how distinct groups respond to environmental changes. Frugivores were common at the edges of larger forests and throughout the smallest, most disturbed fragment, showing a positive link with human-use indicators. Conversely, forest-interior insectivores and specialist species relied heavily on large fragments with high canopy cover, tree density, and basal area, while avoiding smaller fragments entirely.
Forest clearance alters ecosystems and threatens wildlife diversity across Africa. By showing that forest specialist bats avoid small or degraded patches while generalist fruit bats adapt more easily, this research highlights how changes in forest structure and human activity reshape animal communities. Such insights help conservation planners understand which species face the highest risk of local extinction when forests become fragmented.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it represents early-stage ecological research focused on biodiversity conservation and species vulnerability.
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Abstract Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity worldwide, and little is known about their effects on bats in Africa. We investigated effects of forest fragmentation on bat assemblages at Kakamega Forest, western Kenya, examining captures at edge and interior locations in three forest fragments (Buyangu, 3950 ha; Kisere, 400 ha; and Malava, 100 ha) varying in forest area and human-use regimes. Basal area, canopy cover, tree density and intensity of human use were used as predictors of bat abundance and species richness. A total of 3456 mist-net hours and 3168 harp-trap hours resulted in the capture of 4983 bats representing 26 species, eight families and four foraging ensembles (frugivores, forest-interior insectivores, forest-edge insectivores and open-space insectivores). Frugivores were frequently captured at the edges of the larger, better-protected forests, but also in the interior of the smaller, more open fragment. Forest-interior insectivores and narrow-space foragers predominated in the interiors of larger fragments but avoided the smallest one. Forest specialists showed positive associations with forest variables (canopy cover, basal area and tree density), whereas frugivores responded positively to the human-use indicators. On these bases, specialist species appear to be especially vulnerable to forest fragmentation.
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DOI: 10.1017/s0266467419000221
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