Bats are an essential, beneficial part of the ecosystem. In fact, the increasing deaths of the bat population are a major cause for concern, as they will cause a considerable ecological ripple effect, with potentially far-reaching consequences.
These flying creatures play critical roles in insect control, plant pollination, seed dissemination, and cave ecosystems. In addition, they are food for other animals such as the hawk, raccoon, skunk, and owl.
Consuming over half of their body weight in insects each night, bats are the major predator of night flying insects. If it weren’t for bats eating thousands of tons of insects in the United States each night there would be an increase in insect population, resulting in damage to crops and forests, and a increase in pesticide applications.
Many species of bats such as the cave-roosting bat are considered a keystone species because their waste (guano) provides vital nutrients for cave ecosystems, and is often the basis of a cave’s food chain. Bat guano is used by micro-organisms and invertebrates which become food for fish, frogs, salamanders, and other larger animals.
In addition, bats also play a significant role in science and medicine. Research conducted on bats has enabled advancements in sonar, vaccine development, artificial insemination, blood coagulation and much more.
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