Urban areas in rural landscapes – the importance of green space and local architecture for bat conservation

Urbanization is a highly disperse process, resulting in urban sprawl across landscapes. Within such landscapes, structural heterogeneity may be an important factor for maintaining biodiversity. We investigated the importance of habitat on bats villages Schwäbische Alb, Germany, progressively urbanized region. Bat activity and diversity were assessed using acoustic monitoring. characterized composition at local neighborhood scale environmental characteristics density, vegetation cover architectural features, combining satellite ground-based measures. Our results revealed that extent areas determines occurrence different bat species, while spatial, structural, architectonic parameters recording sites affected activity, feeding social encounters. Larger with increased proportion impervious surfaces newly constructed housing associated fewer species lower activity. highest between 1950-2000 higher proportions older, rather openly structured vegetation. clearly show combined spatial scales, affecting suitability quality rural bats. This highlights strategies biodiversity inclusion planning need to consider both conditions support vital In particular, it exemplifies future challenges maintain within as this needs by municipalities space nature designated development also consciousness residents biodiversity-friendly modernizations.