Bat presence and activity pattern of Gökçeada (Çanakkale)

The aim of this study is to identify the bat species of Gökçeada and to reveal their activity pattern. This study is also the first study on bats representing the islands of Türkiye and the first study on bats in Gökçeada. The studies in Gökçeada were conducted in three main parts: acoustic studies (static fixed detector and manual detector), roost surveys and eunis habitat studies. The eunis habitat types of the areas where these data were collected and the roost survey areas were also recorded and the activity pattern of the bats was established. These studies were conducted in 17 habitat types with fixed devices, 25 habitat types with manual surveys and 15 habitat types with roost surveys among 27 eunis habitat types in Gökçeada. During the studies carried out between January 2022 and December 2022 in Gökçeada, Çanakkale province, 13 species belonging to 3 families, 6 groups, 9 genera and 13 species under 9 genera were detected in 25 eunis habitat types in total in Gökçeada with acoustic fixed devices (28 stations, 17 eunis habitat types), manual detectors (250 km, 5 lines and 25 eunis habitat types) and roost surveys (15 eunis habitat types). There are 3 bat species different from Çanakkale province and one bat species different from Marmara Region and one of the 3 species recorded in 2 Greek islands close to Gökçeada was recorded in Gökçeada. While 6 common eunis habitat types were recorded in Gökçeada, bats were recorded in 5 eunis habitat types in terms of species diversity and 4 eunis habitat types in terms of activity intensity. Three common eunis types were recorded, which are both widespread, rich in species diversity and intense in activity. This study has also been a fundamental study for the conservation of both bats and habitats suitable for bats by revealing the bat species and activity pattern of Gökçeada.