Bat use of abandoned mines throughout Nevada

Abandoned mines offer important roosting habitat for several species of bats throughout the western United States. Currently, abandoned mine reclamation programs are tasked with closing to ameliorate safety, health, and environmental hazards found in around these sites. Without appropriate pre-closure evaluations determine use workings prior closure, that depend on may be negatively impacted. To mitigate impacts bats, surveyors typically conduct biological recommend wildlife compatible closures (e.g., bat gates) ecologically Due hazardous conditions many mines, internal surveys cannot always conducted, external not reliable determining underground or inferring past, future, potential by when they absent during surveys. The purpose our study was examine relationships between characteristics landscape, including portal area shape, number portals, depth, elevation, proximity water land type. We surface features type, distance water, elevation were associated use, as depth shape. best conserve sensitive it is essential detailed possible enhance understanding species' associations distribution landscape. Further information will facilitate development sound closure recommendations openings.