Citizen science-based bat monitoring project in Japan and Korea

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Since November 1st, I have been working to establish human networks and apply for the necessary paperwork for my citizen-science-based bat survey project in Japan and Korea. As a result, I have been able to establish a network with a transport company that runs a ferry between Japan and Korea. I also established some networks with fishermen who work on Tsushima Island and own their ships. They will conduct bat bioacoustics surveys on the sea from May until the end of October. I also tested the feasibility of using a drone survey with a thermo-camera. As a result, I was able to confirm that it would be possible to use a drone for the survey. However, I found that normal drones produce ultrasonic noise. Therefore, they will not be suitable for surveys for bat activity estimation or population size estimation. Instead, they will be helpful in finding bat roost sites or breeding colonies located in remote areas where humans cannot easily access. I also established domestic research networks with Japanese researchers at the University of Human Environments and Nagasaki University. They will also join the project as advisors and collaborators. We will share survey data for better understanding of Japanese bat distribution and local diversity.