1991 - 2006. EUROBATS celebrates its 15th anniversary

Recent conservation activities
In recent years, the research and conser-
vation activities, described in the natio-
nal implementation reports, included: a)
monitoring programme of cave-dwelling
species, b) roosts protection (fencing, vegetation
clearance, prevention of stone falling),
c) comparison of the stress periods in
Portugal and Germany and study of several
ecological aspects of Myotis myotis, d) study
of the diet of Myotis myotis, e) development
of bat-boxes for Mediterranean areas,
f) study of the habitat use by Tadarida teniotis,
g) study of the impact of parasitism on
reproduction in bats, h) evaluation of the situation
of bat species in the archipelagos of
Madeira and Azores, i) confirmation of the
presence of P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus,
j) creation of an Interpretation Centre in a
Natural Park (with an observatory where visitors
can observe the bats inside the cave
using infrared cameras), k) study of ecological
aspects of Barbastella barbastellus,
and l) construction of artificial roosts (200
bat-boxes, two underground galleries and
one building).
The role of EUROBATS
Portugal signed EUROBATS in June 1993
and confirmed the ratification instrument
in January 1996.
The accession to this Agreement highlighted
the importance of bats in the country
and created a link to the activities carried
out by Instituto da Conservação da
Natureza.
The implementation of the EUROBATS
resolutions and the application of the prepared
guidelines, has been taken into consideration
for the following activities:
1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates its 15 th anniversary
• The monitoring programme for cavedwelling
species using the methodologies
described in Resolution 2.1;
• A list of the important underground
roosts was prepared according to Resolution
2.4;
• A study of the migratory patterns of
some cave-dwelling species (Miniopterus
schreibersii, Myotis myotis and Myotis
blythii) has been conducted in a few
roosts, as recommended in Resolution
2. ;
• The list of activities has been selected
in agreement with the conservation and
management plan approved by EURO-
BATS (Resolutions 2.8, 3.3 and 4.9);
• Underground roosts have been protected
accordingly to Resolution 4.3;
• Permits regarding the capture and study
of captured wild bats have been prepared,
taking into consideration the guidelines
described in Resolution 4.6;
• Analysis of impact assessment studies
for wind parks in areas of particular value
to bat populations have taken into
account Resolution 4.7.
In addition, implementation reports have
also been prepared following the approved
format (Resolutions 2.7 and 3.3). Nevertheless,
there are still two resolutions that have
not been implemented yet: Resolution 3.7
on the Amendment of the Agreement and
Resolution 4.4 on Bat Conservation and Sustainable
Forest Management.
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