Poster 21: Bats of the Brussels-Capital Region

For the past three years, the Brussels Capital Region has benefited from a EU Life-Nature programme aiming at improving bat habitat and food resources. It is estimated that 16 species of bats could be breeding in the Region, taking into account the range and ecological requirements of the species. Work undertaken between April and August 2001 contributed new information on foraging preferences of bats in various Special Conservation Areas involved in the European Life-Nature programme. Data were obtained for 9 species. Insect capture experiments showed that insect densities are higher on sites naturally managed (with annual hay cutting) than on close-cropped lawns. Identification of habitats used by bats was carried out in different urban parks. Bats appear to hunt preferably over insect rich naturally managed areas, while most species seem to avoid sites in the vicinity of roads and without vegetation cover. Both insects and bats appear to respond positively to management measures applied to the vegetation. These initial results confirm the richness and diversity of the Region mammal fauna. In order to increase biodiversity, differentiated management measures that create a mosaic of habitats must be encouraged.