Nova Scotia’s bat population showing signs of recovery after years of decline

Researchers are optimistic about the stabilization of the bat population in Nova Scotia after a devastating decline of over 90 per cent in little brown bats and northern long-eared bats. The main culprit behind this decline is a disease called white-nose syndrome, caused by a fungus native to Europe and Asia, which has been wreaking havoc on hibernating bats in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick since 2011.

Due to white-nose syndrome, several bat species in eastern North America, including little brown bats and northern long-eared bats, have been classified as endangered. However, there is hope on the horizon as Karen Vanderwolf, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo, shared with CBC Radio’s Mainstreet that these bats have developed an immunity to the fungus.

Vanderwolf explained, “At this point, we’re not seeing major mortality anymore of these hibernating bat species. The ones that have survived seem to be able to tolerate the disease. The population has plateaued, and in some caves in Nova Scotia, we are even seeing a slight increase in the bat population.”

The fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome was first detected in New York state in 2006 and has since spread across the continent. It primarily affects bats that hibernate in caves and mines during the winter. Vanderwolf noted that the bats pick up the fungus from the cave walls where they hibernate, but its prevalence has been decreasing.

“We don’t think the fungus is a very good competitor,” she said. “There are other microbes and invertebrates in these cave sites that likely outcompete and consume the fungus.” Despite the positive signs of stabilization, Vanderwolf cautioned that it could take decades for the bat population to fully recover.

Bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming a wide variety of insects, including those that damage crops and food sources. Recent studies in the U.S. have shown that the decline in the North American bat population has led to disruptions in the ecosystem.

“They found that the significant decrease in bat populations has resulted in farmers and other workers having to use more pesticides on their crops to combat the insect populations that bats used to control,” Vanderwolf explained.

The resilience of the bat population in Nova Scotia is a testament to the adaptability of these fascinating creatures. As researchers continue to monitor and study the effects of white-nose syndrome, there is hope that the bat population will continue to stabilize and thrive in the years to come.