Does understory clutter reduce bat activity in forestry pine plantations?

Abstract

Forestry plantations supporting native species exhibit a dense understory, which might reduce bat activity within plantations. We compared bat activity in Monterrey pine plantations with and without an understory in central Chile. Total activity did not differ between plantations with a developed understory and those without it, being higher on-track than off-tracks sites. Trails provide commuting areas for bats within plantations allowing its use regardless of their degree of structural clutter. Promoting understory in plantations provides habitats for bats and might enhance their conservation in human-modified landscapes.