A new study finds that climate change is already shortening and warming winters across Europe. Consequently, their range of hibernation sites could increase. Under the leadership of Dr. Kseniia Kravchenko, this research by her colleagues examines this disconnect. They focus specifically on the influence of important life-history traits on the survival of bats under warmer winter conditions. These results indicate some worrying moves in this little 30 gram fluff ball’s best winter homes. Research like this underscores the importance of different ecological factors shaping bat hibernation and ultimately survival within these harsh climes.
The research team focused on two key statistics: the mean daily ambient temperature during hibernation and the duration of hibernation. All these factors are key in determining the importance of climate change in the hibernation niche of Common Noctule Bats. These results suggest that increasing temperatures may force these bats to relocate their hibernation sites. Picture this, but now apply it to the broader skies that birds face.
Shifts in Hibernation Areas
This groundbreaking study provides concrete evidence that Common Noctule Bats have changed their wintering grounds. In fact, they’ve already shifted inland more than 260 kilometers (over 160 miles) northward since 1901. This change is huge, but it’s super important because it shows that these bats are beginning to respond to this climate change. Between 1901 and 2018, their hibernating range increased by nearly 6.3%.
Additionally, under severe climate change scenarios, projections indicate their hibernation range could move north by hundreds of miles. By 2100, it might reach another 730 kilometers north about 4 times as far. Taken together, researchers forecast an average northward shift of just under 990 kilometers over the next two centuries.
To better understand how temperature affects energy expenditure in Common Noctule Bats, the research team performed various experiments. They hon’t on studying these effects especially during hibernation. To get at this question, they calculated CO2 production as a proxy for energy consumption across a range of ambient temperatures. This data allowed scientists to create models of what happens when bats alternate between two physiological states during hibernation. This arcane process complicates their modeling players’ nationwide efforts.
“We assessed how much time common noctules, which are bats weighing around 30 grams, spent in torpor—the physiological state animals enter during hibernation—at different ambient temperatures. To detect torpor, we measured the skin temperature because individuals lower their body temperature to save energy.” – Dr. Kseniia Kravchenko
Impact of Temperature on Hibernation
The research showed that these bats modulate their use of torpor in response to changes in temperature. This demonstrates their extraordinary resilience in shifting economic tides. As ambient temperatures get warmer and warmer, their capacity to change their hibernation pattern will be key for their survival.
The impact of this study goes beyond the Common Noctule Bats. The ability to map the hibernation niche of other species using similar metrics could provide valuable insights into wildlife responses to climate change.
“Hibernators tend to be overlooked in biophysical models because they switch between two physiological states during hibernation, making modeling more difficult.” – Dr. Shannon Currie
Prof. Dr. Christian Voigt emphasizes the broader significance of this work:
The Future of Bat Hibernation
The implications of this research extend beyond just the Common Noctule Bats. The ability to map the hibernation niche of other species using similar metrics could provide valuable insights into wildlife responses to climate change.
Prof. Dr. Christian Voigt emphasizes the broader significance of this work:
“This means we could potentially map the hibernation niche of other species using the same metrics. Yet we still need to closely investigate and monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife physiology without forgetting that the environment is more than just ambient temperature.” – Prof. Dr. Christian Voigt
Dr. Alexandre Courtiol expressed satisfaction with the study’s outcomes:
“We were also happy because, after all the experimental work and the programming efforts we put in, it showed that our approach actually worked.” – Dr. Alexandre Courtiol