Natural bodies of open water in desert landscapes are important resources for survival of desert-dwelling
animals and in recent years artificial bodies of water may have become equally important. In the present
study we are testing if species richness and activity of bats are related to the water chemistry both in
natural and artificial bodies of water, and if these measures can indicate water quality in desert habitats
where water is scarce. We combined acoustic monitoring of bat activity and species richness in artificial
and natural bodies of water in the Negev desert, Israel and measured 27 variables of water chemistry and
quality at each site. Significant differences in water chemistry and quality were found between natural
and artificial bodies of water. Species richness and activity of bats did not differ between artificial and
natural bodies of water, indicating that desert-dwelling bats may benefit from artificial bodies of water,
however activity within species differed between natural and artificial bodies of water. Some species
of bats were only recorded at natural bodies of water, suggesting that these species are not tolerant to
lower quality of water and emphasizes the importance of natural bodies of water in desert ecosystems.
Our results demonstrate that community measures, such as total bat activity and species richness of bats
in desert habitats, may not be sufficient to indicate changes in water chemistry and quality. Rather it is
recommended and applicable to use the activity of specific species as indicators of water quality in desert
habitats.
Natural bodies of open water in desert landscapes are important resources for survival of desert-dwellinganimals and in recent years artificial bodies of water may have become equally important. In the presentstudy we are testing if species richness and activity of bats are related to the water chemistry both innatural and artificial bodies of water, and if these measures can indicate water quality in desert habitatswhere water is scarce. We combined acoustic monitoring of bat activity and species richness in artificialand natural bodies of water in the Negev desert, Israel and measured 27 variables of water chemistry andquality at each site. Significant differences in water chemistry and quality were found between naturaland artificial bodies of water. Species richness and activity of bats did not differ between artificial andnatural bodies of water, indicating that desert-dwelling bats may benefit from artificial bodies of water,however activity within species differed between natural and artificial bodies of water. Some speciesof bats were only recorded at natural bodies of water, suggesting that these species are not tolerant tolower quality of water and emphasizes the importance of natural bodies of water in desert ecosystems.Our results demonstrate that community measures, such as total bat activity and species richness of batsin desert habitats, may not be sufficient to indicate changes in water chemistry and quality. Rather it isrecommended and applicable to use the activity of specific species as indicators of water quality in deserthabitats.
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