Bats in the Gesäuse National Park Final Report

This report covers the results of the surveys on bat fauna in the Gesäuse National Park in 2005 and 2006. In addition to the presentation of the results, recommendations for measures for the protection and promotion of bats in the National Park were prepared and presented. Using a combination of different methods to catch nets with Japan nets, ultrasonic recordings with time expansion detectors (both manually and automatically with horch boxes), building controls and cave tours, attempted to capture the species spectrum as completely as possible in the national park. The open field surveys took place from May 2005 to January 2006 to also register migratory species or seasonal aspects in the presence of bats. A total of 13 bat species and 36 living individuals were detected in the Gesäuse National Park. The groom seems to play an important role for bats, especially in autumn, since most species could be detected at this time of year. One reason for this could be the relatively high density of caves, so potential courtship, mating, blackout and winter quarters in the national park. The National Park offers potential hunting habitats to all species through its natural forests, the alpine pastures and the occurrence of waters. Nevertheless, the number of individuals found is rather low compared to similar studies, whereas the number of species is comparatively high. A threat to the hunting areas of the bats can be virtually ruled out if the national park’s protection objectives are respected. Due to the widespread inaccessibility of the caves in general and in particular in winter, the threat to winter quarters is also low.