They are simply part of Halloween: bats. Some people are afraid of it. You should fear a world without them, because they are extremely useful. For example, without bats we would B. not enjoy our chocolate. Why? This is what biologist Rym Nouioua explains in the Halloween special of the ÖAW project “FÄKT!”.
The fairy tales of bats entangled in hair and hungry for human blood persist. But not bloodthirsty: there are only three species of bats in the world that suck blood, and they are found only in Central and South America. They feed mainly on the blood of birds or farm animals such as cattle. Instead, bats protect us from ‘vampires’: they eat away pests and insects like nasty gels.
“Without bats, our ecosystem would simply not function,” says biologist Rym Nouioua from the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research in Vienna. “Because over the course of evolution, bats have occupied many niches with their feeding behavior.”
“Depending on the species, this contributes to many ecosystem services, such as: B. Pest control, seed dispersal and also in the fertilization of plants by dispersing seeds and pollen,” explains the expert.
Without bats, many things would not exist, such as cocoa, but also coffee, mangoes – and tequila. “For example, they devour the gels that affect us all, they eat away the ticks that affect us all,” Nouioua explains. “But when we think of wine or olives, they also eat away pests such as the olive moth or the olive fly.”
In this way they help nature to remain in balance. By the way, bats are also the only known mammals in the world that can fly.
Threatened with extinction
However, they are threatened with extinction. There are several reasons for this, the biologist reports from her research.
Of course, climate change plays a role, but so do humans: the use of pesticides reduces their food sources, wind turbines and domestic cats pose a direct threat to them, and the loss of habitat due to the demolition and conversion of old buildings deprives them of important shelter. options.
In addition to measures for climate protection and against climate change: what can each individual do for our helpers from the darkness? For example, install nesting boxes. Many boxes from the hardware store are not suitable.
“It is important to use untreated, weather-resistant wood and pay attention to the correct construction method,” says Nouioua. Suitable models can often be found through nature conservation organizations or specialized providers.
Also useful: placing water bowls for the animals in the garden, especially important on hot days.
And: stop telling fairy tales about bloodthirsty fools that people should be afraid of. Not even on Halloween.
If you want to know more about bats, we will soon present a very special part of Nouioua’s work as part of the science communication project “FÄKT!” from the ÖAW: Bats can also be art!
Source: Krone
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