Contribución de los cafetales bajo sombra en la conservación de murciélagos en la Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

A study in Antigua Guatemala revealed that shaded coffee plantations, while supporting a diverse array of bat species, may not fully function as ecological corridors for forest-dwelling bats. Researchers found that while both shaded coffee plantations and remaining forest habitats hosted 12 bat species, the composition differed significantly: plantations favored generalist frugivorous species like Artibeus, Dermanura, and Sturnira, whereas forests harbored more specialized and landscape-sensitive species such as Phyllostomus discolor and Myotis keaysi. Despite no significant difference in overall diversity between habitats, the study estimated a 42% complementarity index, suggesting limited overlap in bat communities. This indicates that while shaded coffee plantations contribute to bat conservation, they may not effectively connect forest patches for certain species.

Kraker-Castañeda, C., & Pérez-Consuegra, S. G. (2011). Contribución de los cafetales bajo sombra en la conservación de murciélagos en la Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. Acta Zoológica Mexicana (N.S.), 27(2), 291–303. https://doi.org/10.21829/azm.2011.272754