By Jennifer Morgan, MoveUP Environment Committee
The population of bats has been depleting, and that is a problem because they contribute to the ecosystem more so than people think.
Did you know that globally, bats hugely contribute to pollination and seed dispersal? Over 500 plant species rely on bats as pollinators (NAPPC).
As with bees and butterflies, they provide a critical link in our supply of food, including economically important crops such as certain fruits and agave used for tequila (NAPPC).
In tropical regions, fruit bats disperse seeds far and wide; a large bat colony can spread more than 300,000 seeds in a single night (Xu, 2022), aiding forest regeneration. However, British Columbia’s native bats are insectivorous and do not pollinate local plants (Xu, 2022). Their primary ecological role is insect control, which remains invaluable.
By keeping insect populations in check, these bats support biodiversity and healthy ecosystem function, underscoring the importance of conserving native bat species for both environmental and gardening benefits. Of the more than 1,300 known bat species around the world, about 70% are insectivores.
However, some bats native to British Columbia’s West Coast provide critical ecosystem services, including insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal. For example, common species such as the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) are voracious insectivores that consume thousands of insects each night (Kootenay Bats, 2013).
Fun fact: A single Little Brown Bat can eat up to half its body weight in insects every evening (Fenton, 2024), approximately 3,000–3,500 mosquito-sized insects (Kootenay Bats, 2013), helping naturally regulate pests in gardens, forests, and farms. This reduces populations of mosquitoes and agricultural pests, providing chemical-free pest control beneficial to local agriculture and backyard gardening.
So, thank a bat next time you see them flying above your campsite or garden.
References:
- Parks Canada (2023). Little brown bat – Kootenay National Park.
- Kootenay Community Bat Project (2013). General Bat Information – FAQ. British Columbia Community Bat Program.
- North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC). Bats – The World’s Tropical Pollinators (brochure). org.
- Xu, Z. (2022). Getting to Know the Role of Bats in Agroecosystems: Heroes or Devils. UBC Blogs.
Other resources:
National Today: International Bat Appreciation Day
Days of the Year: International Bat Appreciation Day
International Days: International Bat Appreciation Day
City of Delta: International Bat Appreciation Day
Trvst: Bat Appreciation Day: Protecting the Flying Mammals
Eco Calendar: April 17th International Bat Appreciation Day
