2.11 Providing artificial roost structures for bats

Likely to be beneficial

● Provide artificial roost structures for bats

1We found 22 replicated studies of artificial roost structures from across the world. Twenty-one studies show use of artificial roosts by bats. One study in the USA found that bats did not use the bat houses provided. Fifteen studies show varying occupancy rates of bats in artificial roost structures (3–100%). Two studies in Europe found an increase in bat populations using bat boxes in forest and woodland. Eight studies looked at bat box position. Three of four studies found that box orientation and exposure to sunlight are important for occupancy. Two studies found more bats occupying bat boxes on buildings than trees. Two studies found more bats occupying bat boxes in farm forestry or pine stands than in native or deciduous forest. Eleven studies looked at bat box design, including size, number of compartments and temperature, and found varying results. Assessment: likely to be beneficial (effectiveness 60%; certainty 60%; harms 0%)

2http://www.conservationevidence.com/​actions/​1024