A Potential Contribution to the Southern Appalachian Oak Communities Hypertext Encyclopedia

Submitted by R.H. Giles, 540-552-8672 or RHGiles@vt.edu

Indiana Bat

Only recently discovered in the Pasgah National Forest, probably at the southern limit of its range, there are managerial procedures possible to protect and assure the continuance or increase in the populations of this limited species. These procedures are:
  • Retain standing live trees that have more than 25 percent exfoliating (separated from cambium) bark and are greater than 3inches dbh.
  • Retain as many shellbark, shagbark, and bitternut hickories as practicable, regardless of size or condition (live, dead, or dying).
  • Retain as many standing snags greater than 3 inches dbh as practicable within regeneration and timber treatment units, regardless of species, unless specifically marked forspecifically marked for removal.
  • Retain as many hollow, den, or cavity trees greater than 9 inches dbh as practicable.
  • Designate and retain living residual trees in the vicinity of one-third of all large (>12 inches dbh) snags with exfoliating bark to provide them with partial shade and some protection from wind throw. possible.
  • Conduct prescribed burns between October 15 and April 15 when possible. Protect leave trees and snags to the extent practicable during site preparation burns. Site preparation burns, when necessary before October15, should be conducted after August 15 to prevent potential harm to non-volant young.
  • Inspect timber sales to ensure these standards are implemented. Report findings, including a pre- and post-harvest inventory of Indiana bat habitat components.
  • Retain noted Indiana bat habitat during timber management practices of harvest/regeneration or stand improvements.
  • Conduct surveys in suitable forest types using FWS protocols for the Indiana bat
  • Limit openings in the upper canopy to single tree gaps within 30 feet each side of intermittent streams.
  • Limit the distance between openings to 75 feet.
  • For stream crossings, apply the management standards for riparian areas.
  • Use notable Indiana bat summer habitat as a riparian related value for delineation ofriparian areas. Within the first 30 feet on each side of perennial streams and other permanent water bodies, no standing trees (green, dead, dying, or leaning) shall be removed or felled.
  • Retain a minimum of 60 percent canopy cover in the remainder of the riparian area with leave trees being first selected from a Priority Tree Species List.
  • Design regeneration units with irregularly shaped boundaries where feasible, so that some uncut live trees project into the regeneration unit.
  • Minimize the risk of incidental kills or injuries for all management activities
  • Protect all active roost trees and an area of about 1.5 mile radius of known maternity sites.
  • Consult with FWS for us of B.t. or other nonselective pesticides to control gypsy moth infestations or other forest pest insects. Reduction in nontarget lepidoteran abundance will be considered when developing spraying plans, especially when determining the size and configuration of spray blocks.
  • Notify the US Fish and Wildlife Service of any dead, injured, or sick specimens of any bat.
  • Do not let any project or combination of projects decrease the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) by more than 5 percent for a several-year period.
  • Conduct biennial surveys of a hibernaculum after gating to determine theeffects of the gate(s).
  • Characterize and quantify habitat at all sites where Indiana bats are observed and develop computer maps of similar areas.
  • Consult with FWS if an Indiana Bat hibernaculum is found on or within 5 miles of the national forests.

    The above was developed from work of the USFS staff cooperatively with the FWS. More detailed information is available in the FWS Biological Opinion, which can be found on the internet at www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc. Please contact Larry Hayden (828-257-4864) with questions.

    This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
    Last revision April 15, 2001