Bats at UPM: Guardians of Ecosystems

Article by: Associate Prof. Dr. Marina Mohd. Top @ Mohd. Tah

19^th April 2024

 

In conjunction with the INTERNATIONAL BAT APPRECIATION DAY celebrated on April 17th every year, let us take this opportunity to learn about the diversity of bat species recorded at UPM and some key roles of bats.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) stands out as one of the largest green campuses in Malaysia, boasting two campuses: the main campus in Serdang, Selangor, on Peninsular Malaysia, and the Bintulu campus in Sarawak (UPMKB) on the island of Borneo. UPM is home to its forest reserves, including the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR) in Puchong, Selangor, and the Nirwana Forest Reserve in UPMKB, which serve as experimental and field stations for educational activities. With diverse environments within its campuses, UPM preserves its green spaces amid surrounding development, supporting teaching, learning, and research activities. These green areas are crucial habitats for wildlife, including bats.

Bats, fascinating mammals, play a crucial role in our ecology, constituting approximately 50% of mammal species in tropical forests and 20% worldwide. Bats can be divided into two suborders: Yinpterochiroptera (represented by seven families) and Yangochiroptera (represented by 14 families). There are about 143 species of bats found in Malaysia, representing 10% of the world's bat population. Recently, 113 bat species have been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, and 94 have been found in Malaysian Borneo.

Bat surveys in UPM have been conducted in three main areas during various study periods. Surveys in the AHFR began in 1999 and continued until 2017. Those in UPMKB were conducted between 2004 and 2010, and bat surveys in the UPM Serdang campus were carried out from 2019 to 2020. This comprehensive study revealed the presence of 36 bat species within UPM's campuses, with 12 species identified in UPM Serdang, 20 species in UPMKB, and 21 species in AHFR (Figure 1).

Furthermore, this study has contributed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal number 15: Life on land. Goal 15 focuses on sustainably maintaining forests, restoring degraded land, combating desertification, reducing the loss of natural habitats, and preventing biodiversity loss. Therefore, conducting this study has helped conserve bats and maintain their diversity at UPM.

Did you know some key roles that bats play in their natural habitat?

Pollination: Bats are important pollinators for numerous plant species, including many fruits, vegetables, and flowers, particularly in tropical regions.

Seed Dispersal: Bats play a vital role in seed dispersal by consuming fruits and spreading seeds through their droppings, aiding in the regeneration and dispersal of plant species.

Insect Control: Many bat species are insectivorous and consume vast quantities of insects each night, providing natural pest control, including agricultural pests.

Ecosystem Maintenance: Bats contribute to the overall health and balance of ecosystems by controlling insect populations, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds, thus maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Nutrient Cycling: Through their guano (feces), bats contribute to nutrient cycling in ecosystems, enriching the soil and supporting plant growth.

Food Source: Bats serve as a significant food source for various predators, forming an integral part of the food web in many ecosystems.

Indicator Species: Bats can serve as indicators of ecosystem health, reflecting broader environmental changes, making them valuable for conservation efforts.

Understanding and appreciating the vital role of bats in their natural habitat is essential for conservation efforts and ecosystem health. From pollination and seed dispersal to insect control and nutrient cycling, bats play diverse and indispensable roles in maintaining ecosystem balance. By raising awareness about the importance of bats, we can promote their conservation and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem stability, especially in our beloved campus of UPM.

 

Figure 1. Excerpt diagram from the article titled “Current Status of Bat Diversity and Conservation in Universiti Putra Malaysia and Its Forest Reserves” by Marina et al. (2021)

Date of Input: 19/04/2024 | Updated: 19/04/2024 | hasniah