engleski

The role of the long-fingered vat, Myotis Capaccinii, as an indicator species for Dinaric karst : bridging the gap between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Global climate change has been recognized recently by United Nations. One of the major negative impacts is expected to be on freshwater ecosystems that guarantee not only the survival of humanity but also significant biodiversity of the Planet. Globally, Dinaric Karst is one of the most fragile and biodiversity-rich habitats. It runs from Italy, through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and ends in Albania. It is characterized by extensive underground systems comprising of caves, pits and groundwaters, and on its surface by huge mountain chains and freshwater rivers and lakes. This is also the habitat of the longfingered bat, one of the most endangered bat species both in Croatia (EN) and Europe (VU). Key habitat components sustaining long-fingered bat populations are also the key factors sustaining a range of karst biodiversity and this makes it one of the better indicator species of the general "health" of the Karst. Karstic freshwaters have high socio-economic importance since they are the main suppliers of drinking water and electricity in the region. The major threats affecting long-fingered bats’ survival are disturbance in caves with nurseries, water pollution and diversification and inappropriate landscape planning. This paper demonstrates the vital links between clean water sustaining high densities of a variety of aquatic insects that sustain long-fingered bat populations especially during their breeding season. Importantly it has identified critical ecosystem elements that can be evaluated costeffectively at the national (Croatian) level and then may be adapted at a Pan- European Dinaric Karst level. Acceptance of the long-fingered bat as an indicator species would significantly improve the conservation efforts for the species in the region.

Myotis Capaccinii; bat; Dinaric cars; indicator species

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