Economic importance of bats in agriculture

Science
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Abstract

White-nose syndrome (WNS) and the increased development of wind-power facilities are threatening populations of insectivorous bats in North America. Bats are voracious predators of nocturnal insects, including many crop and forest pests. We present here analyses suggesting that loss of bats in North America could lead to agricultural losses estimated at more than $3.7 billion/year. Urgent efforts are needed to educate the public and policy-makers about the ecological and economic importance of insectivorous bats and to provide practical conservation solutions.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Economic importance of bats in agriculture
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.1201366
Volume 332
Issue 6025
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description 2 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Science
First page 41
Last page 42
Country United States
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