A big part of my Ph.D. research at Northern Arizona University is focused on predicting bat use on the landscape in areas that might also be good for wind energy development. Many bats are killed by wind turbines, and certain species are especially affected. Since Arizona has so many bat species, I wanted to know if I could predict how they use the landscape and then use that information to help inform any future siting of wind development in northern Arizona.
I used acoustic detectors to collect echolocation calls of bats all across northern Arizona in open grasslands and scrublands, similar to where current wind energy facilities are located in the area. Now, I'm using GIS derived variables and occupancy models to see what landscape features predict bat occupancy.
I used acoustic detectors to collect echolocation calls of bats all across northern Arizona in open grasslands and scrublands, similar to where current wind energy facilities are located in the area. Now, I'm using GIS derived variables and occupancy models to see what landscape features predict bat occupancy.