Life on Land
Following wildlife and climate clues to protect ecosystems on land.
Bat Occurrence and Climate Patterns in the Philippines
Due to limited research on bat populations, especially in the Philippine context, this study explores how climate factors like temperature and precipitation correlate with the rate of bat occurrence across the country. Using machine learning models, we identify patterns suggesting that bats tend to cluster in areas with high annual rainfall and relatively stable temperatures—patterns reflected in the map, particularly in parts of Western Visayas and Caraga. Heavily forested areas also show high occurrence rates, aligning with known bat preferences for primary forest habitats. The map further highlights Samal Island, home to the Monfort Bat Sanctuary and its two-million-strong colony, as an example of how specific ecological conditions support dense populations. These findings shed light on the climate and habitat factors that shape bat distributions, insights that are crucial not only for biodiversity conservation but also for anticipating public health risks, given bats’ roles as pollinators and zoonotic disease vectors.
