Bats are the only truly flying mammals and, in Copenhagen, we have eight different species. Though present throughout the city, bats are often not noticed. This research project aims to give bats the attention they deserve, while also learning more about the acoustic ecology of urban bat populations. Bats are indicators – well-connected to insects and plants – and are harbingers of climate change effects.
Since March 2021, eight bat detectors have been deployed throughout Copenhagen and its surroundings. The bat detectors record year-round and are triggered when a bat passes. From these eight detectors, we gain information about the species, their presence or absence throughout the year, and bat communications through feeding buzzes and social calls.
The data collected will be used to assess:
- Bat activity level in central Copenhagen – which species are present and at what times throughout the year
- How bats are using the city – feeding, commuting, or chatting together through social calls
- Bats as indicators of climate change
- Bat vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The bat activity data can be compared with other urban and weather data – including air quality, heat island effects, and maps of the built environment. In addition, the data will support ecological presentations about bats and urban ecology to local schools and to the general public via bat tours. Furthermore, the data obtained will contribute to a baseline climate study, focused on changing climate indicators and the impact on bat populations as an indicator of larger ecological trends.
As a Research Assistant your possibilities are broad and can be adapted to your special field of interests. There will also be the possibility of setting up your own experiments and/or communicating findings to the public. You just have to love bats!
Relevant Publications:
- Lintott PR, Barlow K, Bunnefeld N, Briggs P, Gajas Roig C, Park KJ (2016). Differential responses of cryptic bat species to the urban landscape. Ecol Evol. Feb 26;6(7):2044-52. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1996. PMID: 27066223; PMCID: PMC4768637.
Related Discipline(s)
This course would also be of interest to the following discipline(s):Environmental Studies, Urban Studies
