(18) Demographic Modeling of an Indiana Bat Population Subject to Wind-Energy Stress

     Wind energy development is an increasingly prevalent source of renewable energy in the U.S. and worldwide. However, an increase in wind energy use comes at a cost. The Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) faces a risk of... [ view full abstract ]

     Wind energy development is an increasingly prevalent source of renewable energy in the U.S. and worldwide. However, an increase in wind energy use comes at a cost. The Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) faces a risk of extinction due to wind energy development through collisions with wind turbines during migration. We collaborated with conservation managers at agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to model population trends of the M. sodalis (e.g., Thogmartin et al. 2013) and recovery efforts for future management decisions (e.g., Erickson et al. 2014). The growth rate (λ), population inertia, extinction probability, and sensitivity and elasticity of λ with respect to each parameter were calculated using a population projection matrix adapted from Thogmartin et al. Our results will be used to assist in the recovery and conservation efforts of Indiana Bat populations. The matrix model is stage-structured and divided by reproductive status: juveniles, and adults. The survival and reproductive parameters transition between the four seasons. We found sensitive parameters for which conservation efforts should focus towards in the future for protecting bat populations.