Int. J. of Life Sciences, 2016, Vol.

4 (3): 432-440 ISSN: 2320-7817| eISSN: 2320-964X

REVIEW ARTICLE

Ecological and economical impact of Bats on ecosystem

Ramteke Asha Vilas

Department of Zoology, Seth Kesarimal Porwal College. Kamptee, Distt. Nagpur. Maharashtra India.

Manuscript details: ABSTRACT

Received: 22.01.2015 In an ecosystem diversity of organisms interact with each other and the
Accepted: 13.08.2016 species are evolving to increase their ability to withstand the rigors of
Published : 03.11.2016 the environment. Major ecosystems of world had threatened by human
interference. The report emphasized in particular on beneficial role of
Editor: Dr. Arvind Chavhan bats in the environment as bats contribute in the maintenance of
ecosystem. Bat species provide ecosystem services through pollination,
Cite this article as: seed dispersal and insect control, most importantly in tropical forests.
Ramteke Asha Vilas (2016)
The frugivorous bats plays vital role in the maintenance of species-rich
Ecological and economical impact of
tropical forests because of long distance dispersers of tropical seeds.
Bats on ecosystem, International J. of
Life Sciences, 4 (3): 432-440. Insectivorous bats, in particular suppress insect population in the
environment, in agro ecosystem particularly as primary predators and
natural controllers of night flying insects.
Key words: Bats, ecosystem services, seed dispersal, insect control,
Copyright: © 2016 | Author(s), This
is an open access article under the fertilizer.
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-Non-Commercial - No
Derivs License, which permits use
INTRODUCTION
and distribution in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited, the use is non- Highly modified environments consequently struggle for maintaining
commercial and no modifications or the population of native fauna and flora. Environment is constantly
adaptations are made. changing a perfect organism. Species diversity linked to ecosystem
structure and function in which organism and population interact with
each other. Many scientists believe that species diversity is essential for
the proper functioning of communities. In community, the mix species of
flora and fauna grows together in an area. Species in the community are
evolving to increase their ability to withstand the rigors of the
environment. When the sources of a disturbances i.e. storms, floods,
pests, fires and human induced changes are removed from a ecosystem
then the system is expected to return to its previous state.

Main reason of the extinction of species of flora and fauna are that
certain individual in a population survive and reproduce, while other
dies without leaving offspring. Another reason is that, not enough of
some environmental resources i.e. food, water, minerals, disease-
resistant ability etc. to go around. The availability of resources in the
environment is limited and at that rate individual organism can
reproduce and survive. Today, this diversity of life is facing serious

© 2016 |IJLSCI www.ijlsci.in 432

 Ecological and economical impact of Bats on ecosystem

threats. The extinction crisis is enormously seen in their absence and threatening entire ecosystem from
tropical forests i.e. 60 percent of plant species are rainforests to deserts. But some species of bats have
threatened with extinction. Plant species and become locally or regionally extinct. In recent time,
subspecies are in danger of extinction in their wild increase unfavorable activity such as destruction of
habitats. forest and other terrestrial ecosystems, disturbance to
caves, depletion of food resources and increased use of
The loss of species and genetic diversity and pesticide.
degradation of habitats of flora and fauna are the
serious questions of ecosystem. Natural ecosystem Bats have evolved an incredibly rich diversity of
throughout the world had become increase threatened behavioral, roosting and feeding habits. Many species
by human-generated factor such as urbanization, of bats occupy in caves and cave-like structure such as
mining, deforestation, chemical and light pollution. tombs, mines. Other roosts are also in tree-cavities and
Conservation managers reduce the disorder and create foliage. Bats provide many ecosystem services i.e. food
undisturbed environment. These different types of and guano for fertilizer and through contributions to
conservative system from government have prevented medicine and culture. Humans derive indirect benefits
the balance of ecosystem from exterior disturbances. from bats through arthropod suppression, forest
All these government agencies have introduced the regeneration and maintenance, seed dispersal and
role of greater and valuable mammals i.e. bats. pollination of a wide variety of ecologically and
Scientists studied and explaining the role of different economically important plant. Consumptive goods
feeding habits of bats i.e. insectivorous, frugivorous, provided by bats such as food and guano are often
nectarivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous towards exchange in market, where the market price indicates
the ecosystem. In this paper, our special concentration an economic value. Information on the ecological and
is on the beneficial role of insectivorous, frugivorous, economic value of ecosystem services provided by bats
nectarivorous bats and its guano also. can be used to inform decision regarding where and
when to protect or restore bat population and
Healthy ecosystem are especially important in associated habits as well as to improve public
providing various ecosystem services such as insect- perception of bats.
suppression, pollination, seed dispersal, purification of
water and air, stabilization of soils, decomposition of Tropical forests are notably dependent on fruit-eating
waste, binding of toxic substances, nutrient cycling, birds and mammals for dispersal of their seeds. Seed
soil formation and cultural benefits (i.e. spiritual, dispersal by animal is advantageous in tropical
educational and recreational) that improve human habitats for at least three important reasons; first, it
well being. Ecosystem services depending on the allows seeds and seedlings to escape from such natural
ecosystem and the organisms that they constitute. enemies as invertebrate and vertebrate seed- eaters,
Ecosystem services are the benefits that human obtain herbivores and fungal pathogens. Second, it reduces
from ecosystem for their well-being. Bats contribute the competition seedlings would experience if they
its role in the maintenance of ecosystem stability. Bat germinated at high densities around the parent plant.
species provide important ecosystem services by Thirdly, widespread dispersal by creatures as mobile
pollinating flowers, dispersing seeds and consuming birds and mammals allows plant to colonize in new
insects. Thus, bat species playing central roles in the habitats.
maintenance and regeneration of forest and other
ecosystem. Bats provide value to ecosystem as Two families of bats i.e. Phyllostomidae (New World
primary, secondary and tertiary consumers that bats) and Pteropodidae (Old World bats) contain over
support and sustain both natural and human 100 species of fruit eaters responsible for dispersing
dominated ecosystem. Of all the bats around the world, seeds from hundreds of species of tropical trees and
approximately seventy percent are insectivorous, shrubs. Many of these bats also pollinate a broad
nearly thirty percent eat nectar or fruit, ten species are variety of plants, including a large number that are
carnivorous, two species are fish-eaters and only three commercially valuable. By virtue of their abundance
species the common vampire (Altringham, 1996). and highly mobile lifestyle, these animals play an
They are among nature’s most beneficial animal and essential role in the seed dispersal ecology of tropical
without them, thousands of flora and fauna affected by forests.

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 Ramteke Asha Vilas, 2016

pesticides by farmers. Frugivorous bats are the well-

The bat is a very reliable visitor to fruiting plants and equipment to disperse tree-seeds throughout the man-
finds nearly all of the ripe fruits. As a result, seeds are made and natural ecosystems. Bats are again helpful
separated from fruit-pulp when they pass through the for carry a large pollen loads at a considerable
bat’s gut and are then excreted in a manner that distances. Guano of bats is again very beneficial for
reduces their vulnerability to destruction by fungus. increasing the yield of crops. So that, the different
Certain seed species actually have higher germination types of feeding habits of bats i.e. insectivorous,
rates after they have passed through the guts of bats. frugivorous and nectarivorous are beneficial for
Because of abundance numbers of frugivorous bats are pollination, seed dispersal and maintaining the genetic
dispersing, enormous numbers of seed throughout the continuity of plant population as well as excretory
forest each night. So that, the frugivorous bats plays an matter of bats are guano are also important to
extremely important role in the regeneration of forests increasing the productivity of agro forestry. So protect
in the disturbed habitats. In the absence of fruit-eating the bat roost populations and improve public
bats, reforestation of cleared areas will become much perception of bats.
more difficult and a significant number of tropical
trees and shrubs will lose as well as most valuable
plants may be seriously jeopardized. Frugivorous bats DISCUSSION
play a vital role in the maintenance of species-rich
tropical forests because of their unique lifestyles and Bats are well-equiped to disperse tree seeds far and
most effective long distance dispersers of tropical wide through a forest (Allen, 1996). Fruit and nectar-
seeds. This is particularly true of Old World flying eating bats play a vital role for the survival and
foxes (especially species of Pteropus), which can carry preservation of these rain-forests and maintaining the
seeds to many miles i.e. between islands in the stability of World climates. More than 100 species of
Southeast Pacific. fruit eaters are responsible for dispersing seeds from
hundreds of species of tropical trees and shrubs.
Insectivorous bats, in particular play critical roles in Without the role of bats to pollinate flowers or
many ecosystems by suppressing insect population in disperse seeds, the diversity of rainforest animals and
both natural and human-altered landscapes. Bats play plants would be greatly reduced and threatening the
key ecological roles as primary predators and are the ecological balance. For example, In West Africa, bats
most important natural controllers of night flying carry 90-98% of the seeds of “Pioneer plants”. Due to
insects (Bat Conservation International, 1989). The seed dispersion by bats, the trees and shrubs grows
loss of insectivorous bats are multiplied the insect- rapidly and attract other mammals and birds for seed
pests at an alarming rate and humans increasingly dispersion of different plants. Such cycle of rainforest
dependent on pesticides for controlling the numbers of regeneration might never take place without bats (BCI,
insects. The economic value of pest-suppression 1989). Furthermore, many of our cultivated crop plant
services are provided by Brazilian free-tailed bats for still rely on bats for their survival. Even though most of
the production of cotton in texas. Bat provided pest- these plants are now commercially cultivated.
control services i.e. reduced the pesticide application Ecologically and economically the large important
and avoid crop from damage by insect-pest. angiosperms group of plants are pollinated by the
frugivorous bats.
Guano (faecal matter) is actually an excellent fertilizer.
Guano is not only a rich fertilizer for crops and other Bat pollination occurs in approximately 250 genera.
plants, but it also supports whole ecosystem of Bat pollination is relatively common in certain
organism which may be commercially important for angiosperm subfamilies. A small but ecologically and
humans. Recent research indicates that the guano economically important group of plants are classified
contained many different types of bacteria, which may in 28 orders, 67 families and about 528 species of
actually efficient for breaking down industrial waste angiosperms are pollinated by nectar-feeding bats.
(Documentary, 1992). Nectar bats play an important role in maintaining the
genetic continuity of plant populations and thus have
So bats are rely important role in agro forestry in the considerable conservation value. Flower-visiting bats
form of insect suppression and regulating the uses of provide two important benefits to plants. They deposit

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 Ecological and economical impact of Bats on ecosystem

large amounts of pollen and a variety of pollen system, the seeds are dispersed close to parent plants
genotypes on plant stigmas as compared with many with only a few meters away i.e.100 t0 1000s meters.
other pollinators, such as insects. But seeds dispersed by frugivorous bats undoubtedly
provide relatively long seed-dispersal distances. For
Bats are much larger and have greater energy example in Central Panama, the Jamaican fruit bat
requirements because of their endothermic Artibeus jamaicensis carries single fig fruits 100-250m
metabolism. Bats use a variety of sensory modes, away from fruiting plants. Bat-dispersed palms and
including vision, olfaction and echolocation to locate figs are very common in most of the tropical forest.
flowers. Both groups of plant-visiting bats have senses Figs are important bat-fruit throughout the tropics. Bat
of smell and use olfaction for long-distance detection dispersed, soft-fruited species of Cecropia, Piper,
of flowers; (Marshall, 1983; von Helversen, 1993). Bats Solanum and Vismig are critically important pioneer
are potentially more reliable visitors and they have the species. Fruit-eating Phyllostomid bats thus play an
ability to carry large pollen loads at a considerable extremely important role in forest regeneration in the
distance and play important roles as pollinators and New-World.
seed dispersers in tropical and subtropical habitats
throughout the World (von Helversen 2003). These Many species of nectar or fruit eating bats annually
ecosystems services are provided primarily by bats in migrates between a series of landscapes and these
two families, Pteropodidae in the Old World and movements are driven by seasonal fluctuations in the
Phyllostomidae in the New World. Current information availability of flower or fruit resources. For example,
suggests that Pteropodidae evolved in Asia about 56 In Western Mexico, many individual of lesser long-
million years ago, whereas Phyllostomidae evolved in nosed bat, L. yerbabuenae spends the fall and winter in
the northern Neotropics about 35 million years ago. tropical dry forest where they mate. Here they feed on
Only 15 species in six genera are morphologically the flowers and fruit of dry tropical forest trees and
specialized nectar-feeders in the Pteropodidae and shrubs. In the spring, many female migrate upto 1,000
other members of this family are primarily fruit-eaters km north, where they feed on flower and fruit of
such as Cynopterus, Epomophorous and Pteropus. Bats columnar cacti. In late summer and early fall, females
such a Pteropus giganteus, Syconycteris australis, and their offspring move into upland areas of Southern
Nyctimene robinsoni, (Singh and Bhatti, 1993; Birt et. Mexico, where they feed on the flowers of Paniculate
al; 1997 and Jackowiak et. al., 2009) contain a diverse agaves before migrating south again. Similarly, some
array of feeding adaptations, but over one half of its frugivorous Phyllostomid and Pteropodid bats
species is plant-visitors. About 38 species in 16 genera undergo altitudinal or latitudinal movement. This is
are specialized for nectar-feeders, 90 species in 22 especially true for vertebrate as pollinators and seed
genera are primarily frugivorous. Pteropodid bats are dispersers for the reproductive success of their plants.
known to pollinate flowers of about 168 species in 100
genera and 41 families. Phyllostomid bat pollinate Many of our cultivated crop plants still rely on bats for
flowers of about 360 species in 159 genera and 44 their survival, these includes fruit such as banana,
families. Flying foxes of the genus Pteropus avocades, dates, figs, peaches and mango. One early
(Pteropodidae) are important pollinators and seed study describing the economic importance of bats, in
dispersers in oceanic-island ecosystem (Cox et. al; which identify 289 Old World tropical plant species
1991, 1992 and Rainey et. al; 1995). Their role is that rely on the pollination and seed dispersal services
crucial for maintaining community diversity by the of bats for their propagation. These plants, in turn
regeneration and genetic flow of dominant forest contribute to the production of 448 bat-dependent
trees. Six plant families (Sapotaceae, Mrytaceae, products in a variety of categories, including timber
Moraceae, Combretaceae, Febaceae and Sapindaceae) and other wood products (23%), food, drinks and
were particularly important to flying foxes in Samoa. fresh fruit (19%), medicines (15%), dyes, fiber, animal
fodder, fuel wood, ornamental plants and others.
Bats, along with many other flower-visiting and fruit- However, bat-provided services represents one input
eating animals, provide important mobility for plant within a multi-input production process, so the
gametes. One of the most important ecological services expansive role plays by bats in the production of goods
that bats provide for their food plants is long-distance that contribute to human well-being. Majority crops
dispersal of pollen and seeds. In most seed dispersal species i.e. 87 primary crop species depends to some

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 Ramteke Asha Vilas, 2016

degree on animal pollination; i.e. bees, birds, bats and processes i.e. seed disperse and pollination, new plant
other insects. In particular, bats are important again are regenerate, grow and become mature.
pollinator for durian (Durioziberthinus), star apple Attract hungry bats towards mature plant and repeat
(Chrysophylum cainito) and velvet bean (Mucuna the continued cycle of reforestation process. In the
pruriens). In the New World, two families Agavaceae absence of fruit-eating and nectarivorous bats,
and Cactaceae and many species of Paniculate Agave reforestation of cleared areas will become much more
have enormous economic and ecological value and rely difficult. Most valuable plants may be seriously
heavily on Phyllostomid bats for pollination. Other jeopardized and tropical important trees and shrubs
species of Agave are used locally to produce similar will loss.
alcoholic beverages. Agaves are also important sources
of sisal fiber in many tropical localities. Protection of migratory pathways and critical feeding
areas of migrants must be major conservation goals of
The tropical almond tree, Terminalia catappa is an government. Some of the nectar and fruit-eaters bats
example of a bat-dispersed tree with many human play especially important roles in the pollination and
uses. This tree is dispersed by Cynopterus bats dispersal biology of trees, vines and shrubs in oceanic
throughout Asia. Old World fruit-bat Cynopterus sphinx islands where reduced biodiversity and unbalanced
is highly mobile and potentially more reliable for faunas are available. Means the greatest conservation
visitation, because of their endothermic metabolism of islands faunas are takes place by bat species.
can carry large pollen loads to long distance. They also Regional economy is affected, when the service of
disperse small seeds upto hundreds of kilometer and animal-pollinator is being completely lost and the
perform an important role in transporting zoochorous productivity of pollinator-dependent crop declining.
seeds to remote areas in both mainland as well as Once again, a greater economical value of pollination
islands. Almond tree is an example of a bat-dispersed services is provided by bats. Only increased efforts are
tree with many human uses. In India, it is important in needed to educate government agencies, industries,
coastal communities where it provides shades, fuel- international corporations and the general public
wood and edible nuts. The timber derived from about the ecological and economical value of plant-
almond trees makes a decorative general-purpose visiting bats and other native flowering and fruit-
hardwood and making furniture. Tannin id extracted eating trees.
from the bark, leaves, roots and the fruit-shell. The
large leaves are also used as wrapping material and Insectivorous bats are generalist predators, feeding on
have many medicinal uses including anti indigestion a wide diversity of taxonomic group. They are
and anti dysentery. Young leaves are used to cure opportunistically consuming appropriately sized prey
headaches and colic. A black dye is obtained from the according to its availability within a preferred habitat.
bark, fruit and foliage. Its leaves and bark have a wide Most insectivorous bats eat large quantities of
range of other medicinal uses. In the Philippines, a Lepidopterans (moths), Coleopterans (beetles),
wine is made by fermentation of mature fruits. Dipterans (flies), Homopterans (cicadas leaf hopper)
and Hemipterans (true bugs). Some species also eat
In India, the Mahwa tree (Madhuca indica), also called unusual prey items such as scorpions and spiders.
the Honey tree, Sugar tree or Indian butter tree is Various species of prominent agricultural insect pest
pollinated by Pteropus giganteus, Rousettus have been found in the diets of bats. These insect
leschenaulti and Cyanopterus sphinx. The timber of this include June beetles, Click beetles, leaf hoppers, plant
tree is used for making wagon wheels in India. Mahwa hoppers, the spotted cucumber beetle and the green
is incorporated into soaps, candles, cosmetics (e.g. stinkbug. In the Midwestern United States, annually
Lipstick, lotions) and medically used in the treatment consumes approximately 600,000 cucumber beetle,
of Leprosy. Extracts from the fruits are also thought to 194,000 June beetles, 158,000 leafhopper and 335,000
prevent wrinkles and restore skin flexibility. stinkbugs. Average-sized bat colony could prevent the
Seedcakes made from M. Indica are used as food for production of 33,000,000 cucumber beetle larvae.
cattle and goats and are helpful to increase their milk
production. Sun-dried fruits are directly consumed by The loss of insectivorous bats are multiplied the
humans and the oil extracted from flowers and seeds insect-pest at an alarming rate. All these insect-pest
known locally as mahwa. Due to both effective are very harmful for crop and they damage or destroy

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agricultural cultivated crop region such as June quantity of insects eaten by insectivorous bats.This bat
beetles, Leafhopper and Plant hopper, Stinkbugs, Cut save the thousand of rupees of farmers, which are
worms, Gypsy moths, Spotted cucumber beetles etc. specially utilized for the applications of pesticides
1) June beetles: Adults are herbivorous and have the needed to control of a variety of crop-insect.
potential to defoliate trees in large numbers. Their
larvae, White grubworms attack the roots of Highly adapted insectivorous bats such as Miniopterus
grasses and various crops such as Corn, Wheat, scheribersi fuliginosus and Pipistrellus savii (Park and
Oats, Barley, Sugarbeets, Soyabeans and Potatoes. Lee 2009), Rhinopoma kinneari and Scotophilus heathi
2) Leaf hoppers and Plant hoppers: These true bugs (Agarwal and Gupta 1982), Pipistrellus pipistrellus
are vector of plant pathogens such as Rice dwarf, (Pastor et. al; 2004) and Myotis macrodactylus (Hwang
Maize mosaic viruses and bacteria. Leafhopper and and Lee 2007) studied by different zoologist. They
plant hopper are the serious agricultural pests of were specially noticed that all of these insectivorous
Potatoes, Grapes, Almonds, Citrus and Row crops. bats are very important for agricultural as well as
3) Stinkbugs: Serious pests of various crops including coffee plantation.
Apples, Pecans, Soya beans, Cotton, Field corn,
Peaches and vegetables. Stinkbugs pierce plant Of, the approximately 900 insectivorous bat species,
tissues. the Brazilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis,
4) Cut worms: Destructive garden pests, causing fatal provides one of the most impressive examples of
damage to nearly any type of vegetable, fruit or continental-scale natural pest suppression in the
flower. World. Brazilian-free tails are known to consume a
5) Gypsy moths: Serious pests of several hundred wide variety of prey items (including 12 orders and 35
species of trees, bushes and shrubs. families). Numerous studies indicate that moths
6) Spotted cucumber beetles: Serious pests of Corn, (Lepidoptera) are their primary food source and other
Spinach and various Cucurbit vines. agricultural pests such as corn earworm or cotton
bollworm moth and tobacco budworm moth
Insectivorous bats is the natural predators, which (Cleveland 2006). Thus, the benefits conferred to
provided the benefits to the agro forestry by the agriculture by consumption of these moths by bats
consumption of millions crop-insects. So, the economic may not be limited to their local foraging areas but
value of the pest-suppression service is provided by may extend to agricultural landscapes hundreds of
insectivorous bats. The percentage of the application kilometers away.
of synthetic pesticides become minimized from
farmers and safer the human health risks from In agricultural systems, many insectivorous bats are
harmful toxicity. Thus, the benefits provided to the specially habitat, e.g. Organic farms in the United
agro forestry by the consumption of millions insects by Kingdom, Shade cacao plantation in Brazil, Olive
bats and shows high activity levels in several orchards in Greece, Midwestern agricultural land,
agricultural forestry. So, Pimentel et. al; (1997) cereal crops in England, Arboreal crops in Mexico,
concluded that 50% reduction in pesticides use and agricultural riparian areas and still relatively common
provided that biological, cultural and environmental in rural-areas of South-eastern Australia. The lesser
pest control technologies in replacement of pesticides. Long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould’s
Pesticides application rate reduced due to high bat Wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) were highly
predation rate and bats provide a direct contribution selective in the location of their roosts in the
of regulating service on pest-control for the great landscape, in roost-site selection in roosting behavior
agricultural production. Due to the biodiversity of and responded differently to different level of roost
insectivorous bats from forest to open space land e.g. availability. Gould’s Wattled bats mainly lives on trees
Coffee plantation and agricultural field, they perform for roosting while long-eared bats used a broader
their greater role to control the insect-pest numbers in range of roost sites such as under bark, (Lumsden et,
agricultural areas. They are also maintaining their aL; 2002). These and other agro ecosystem, where
population and provide an important ecosystem high bat activity has been documented and providing
service to the farmers (Estrada and Coates- Estrada the natural pest control service (Lumsden, 2005). The
2002). The ecological and economic impact of insectivorous bats use high-volume echolocation calls
insectivorous bats on ecosystem is that abundant to locate and capture prey. Since, insectivorous bats

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 Ramteke Asha Vilas, 2016

are maintaining insect population in agro ecosystem safer the human health from harmful toxic present in
and supports to the biodiversity conservation. synthetic pesticides.

A single bat can eat thousands of insect each night Today, these valuable mammals often go unnoticed
(ranging from 1,000 to 3, 000). Bats can eat up to half because they are small, largely silent and minimum
their body weight in insects in a night. One colony of their roost sites. Roost sites are a key habitat
20 millions Mexican free-tailed bats in Central Texas requirement for bats and may be a limiting resource in
consumes nearly a half million pounds of insect each highly modified environment. Land-holders and land-
night (BCI, 1989). Northern Long-eared bat (Myotis managers are frequently unaware of the diversity of
Septentrionalis) suppresses mosquito population bats on their properties, their beneficial nature and the
through direct predation. A little brown bat, one of the habitat requirements for their continued survival.
North Americas most abundant species is capable for Insectivorous bats are the natural pest controller, so
capturing 600 mosquitoes in just an hour. Although highlighting on the importance of trees in the rural
bats are commonly credited for their role in mosquito landscapes as foraging habitat for bats, protect the bat
control. A colony of 150 large brown bats can eat populations and improve public perception of bats.
approximately 38,000 cucumber beetle in a single Due to the loss of insectivorous bats, the insect-pest
summer, which are potentially destroy Corn spinach enormously multiplied because of the unchecked
and Vine plants. So, heavy lost face by U.S. farmers control by their natural predator. So, farmers are
annually and their productivity of crops are become totally dependent on pesticides for controlling crop-
very less (Environment, 1994). pest, which already suffered our environment and
personal health. In United state, 850 million pounds of
Indian Horse-shoe Nose bat, Hipposideros speoris is pesticides applied on crop, which not only
aerial insectivorous belong to family Rhinolophidae of contaminated the ground water but it’s runoff is
sub-order microchiroptera. Successively migration of further damaging Wildlife habitat.
insectivorous bats, Hipposideros speoris towards the
open land space and increased the cultivation rate of It is very essential to providing the habitat protection,
yield. Migratory process as well as their greater conservation and monitoring of roosts as well as
adaptation towards the open space gives super providing all the essential information to local
beneficial profit to the farmers i.e. protect the crop localities. Insectivorous bats contributed their role in
from harmful insect-pest and increased the cultivation the maintenance of ecosystem stability in both natural
rate of crop yield (Benton 2003). and agricultural system and provided ecological and
economical benefits to the ecosystem.
Many of our cultivated crop plants still rely on bats for
their survival i.e. only essential source for their disease Guano use as fertilizers on agricultural crops due to
resistant development is insectivorous bats. Due to high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous and
efficient role of insectivorous bats new more which may be primary limiting nutrients of most plant
productive plants will be produced in the future. life. Although the benefit of nitrogen to plant are well
Insectivorous bats regulate the insect numbers and known. Various sheets and mounds of guano had long
provided humankind needed services like food, fuel, been mined from caves and under places where the
fibre and medicine.. Insectivorous bats consumed bats roost. Bats regularly or occasionally roost in caves
serious crop-pest and save the billions of dollars of and provide the primary organic input to cave
farmers and foresters per annually. During wet season, ecosystem i.e. cave-dwelling salamander, fish
total arthropod densities increased by 84% per coffee population and invertebrate’s communities are highly
plant. In wet season also increased the reproductive dependent upon the nutrients from bat guano. Bat
activity of bats and so heavy energy demands of bats at guano contains insect fragments, arthropods, fish,
the wet season. Hence, they feed on the most damaging mice, fruit, nectar, hair, pollen and other valuable
insect-pests and increased the agricultural nutrients (Fenton 1983).
productivity of crop and coffee plantation. Efficient
role of natural predator in agricultural practices, the Insectivorous bats consume energy rich prey with
uses of synthetic pesticides become minimize and rapid digestion during flight, so the guano is sprinkled
over the landscapes throughout the night. Thus, bats

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contribute to nutrient redistribution from nutrient- rapidly from loss of cave roosts. Unwarranted human
rich resource (e.g. Lake and rivers) to nutrient-poor fear, misinformation and persecution of bats at their
regions (e.g. arid or upland landscapes). roosts have declined their population nearly
Nectarivorous, frugivorous and carnivorous bats may everywhere in the world and many species become
similarly contribute to nutrient cycling through guano endangered. Many of the bat species are necessary in
redistribution. So some developing countries large numbers to maintain the balance of nature.
harvested the guano for the process of natural Instead, at such low population levels, that they are
fertilizer specially use for increasing the nourishment almost ecologically irrelevant. Immediate protection
of soil as well as increasing the yield of crops. action may save them from extinction. Although some
bat species have already become extinct, but from the
Bats are very vulnerable and most beneficial creatures effective and initiatives steps of management, there is
among natures. Bats are playing the critical economic a hope for the recovery of remaining populations.
and ecological roles in ecosystems. Evidence shows
that bats perform a leading role in the complex web of Many of the managements are initiative in protective
life. They are essential allies among in delicate nature measure for roosting sites. So after the protection of
system of checks and balances. Without them, entire roost sites and foraging habitats, the periodic
system of life may die with them. This loss would not monitoring of these areas is necessary to identify
only be felt other animal species but by humans as potentially damaging activities. In the United Kingdom,
well. Destruction of hibernacula, maternity sites and all bat species and roosts are protected by the Wildlife
foraging areas may loss out several hundreds or and Countryside Act (Jones, 1995), because basic
thousands species at one time. In recent years, bats biological foraging information is lacking for most of
have increasingly subjected to a variety of the species. So little attention has focus on the
disturbances i.e. industrial chemical, water pollution, protection of bat habitats. Warning signs have been
air pollution, light pollution, habitat alteration, posted in some caves to alert people that either
deforestation and other human activities increasing maternity colony is present in the caves. Although the
the growing risk of extinction. In particular, alteration sign are attempt to keep people out. Bat Conservation
of natural habitats by agricultural monoculture, International (BCI), the World’s leading bat
human disturbances to caves and mines and conservation organization has sponsored various
decreasing survival rate of some aerial and aquatic research projects worldwide. These have been critical
insect-species. All these factors decrease the ability of in illustrating the ecological and economical
bats to successfully feed, reproduce and hibernate. importance of bats. Although scientific understanding
is a important goal of BCI. A primary goal of BCI has
In North America, many of the largest bat populations been to educate people at all levels about the
now live in mines. They have come to utilize these importance and benefits of bats and the need to
roosts because their original homes in caves or tree protect them. BCI’s educational program are specially
hollows have be destroyed. In the past few years, providing accurate information and conducting the
thousands of old mines have been closed for human citizens training programs. It also provides the
safety but largest populations of endangered species availability of workable solution for problem and the
have been lost due to these closing (BCI, 1994-95). instruction of educators and Wildlife managers. All of
Deforestation of areas near roost entrances has also these techniques such as educational and research
affected the bat population. If forests are unavailable, activities play on influential role in changing people’s
predators may take advantage of the unprotected bats. negative attitudes about bat and efficiently counter
Forests are also used by some young bats for resting declining rate of bat populations. BCI’s efforts in
places because they are very slow and clumsy fliers education, research and partnerships with
during their first week of flight. Bats around the world governments and private groups have been very
are in severe decline. In the United States, nearly 40% instrumental and successful in achieving such goals.
of the 43 bat species are endangered. In the U.S. gray
bats were among the most abundant animals, but now
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