Decline of rare UK bat linked to tree felling for British empire’s fleets (www.theguardian.com)

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The examples of flora and fauna disappearing because of human excesses over the past 50 years are manifold, but research has found that the decline of a characterful bat began in the UK when its trees were felled for shipbuilding 500 years ago.

Experts from the University of Exeter and the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) have concluded that a 99% drop in Britain’s western barbastelle bat populations began when trees were chopped down in the early days of Britain’s empire building.

The conclusion was made possible by analysis of bat DNA that can pinpoint a “signature” of the past, including periods when populations declined, leading to more inbreeding and less genetic diversity.

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this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2023

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