Influence of forest disturbance on bat community diversity in northeast Tobago, West Indies

Abstract

Bat assemblages were sampled at three habitats of varied disturbance within northeast Tobago over a 10-week period. Overall 995 individuals, representing 15 species, were caught through the use of mist nets. Community diversity, evenness, abundance, and feeding guild composition across sites were recorded. Our analysis showed lower species diversity and richness within the site experiencing ongoing disturbance. Results from the secondary forest suggest diversity can recover to natural levels if this disturbance ends. However, some species were only located within primary forest, which may be a result of specific ecological requirements.