The 6 week project entails using acoustic monitoring technology to provide new information on native and endemic bats of Puerto Rico toward three specific objectives listed below. Dr. Vulinec will work with USFWS, USFS, PR-DNRE, and CLCC personnel to accomplish our shared goals. Project goals will require time at the International Institute for Tropical Forestry (IITF) in San Juan, at El Yunque National Forest, and the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge.
Objectives of project and deliverables expected from fellow: 1. Evaluate native and endemic bat habitat use patterns across elevation and urbanization gradients in El Yunque and the NE Corridor protected areas with an emphasis on tabanuco forests to inform climate adaptation planning.2. Assess bat diversity in the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge3. Develop protocols to evaluate potential impacts of future wind farms on resident batsa. Collect preliminary data on the use of nearshore marine airspace by bats (if a suitable sampling boat can be identified)
