Bat survey on the subalpine grasslands of Mt Varnous (Florina, Greece): preliminary results

The area of Prespa in Greece includes two Natura 2000 sites, which constitute the National Park of Prespa since 2009. The Park is well known for its high diversity of wild flora and fauna. The number of mammal species increased by 43% in 14 years (1995-2009), mainly because of the increase in bat species recorded since 2000. Temperate bats are insectivores and therefore may be an important part of grassland wildlife, since grasslands support a significant insect fauna. We present the results of a preliminary bat survey on the subalpine grasslands of Mt Varnous at the ridges separating the Prespa basin from the basins of Florina and Pisoderi at an altitude of 2000 m, by means of echolocation call recordings. We found that these subalpine grasslands are used by at least five species: a) Tadarida teniotis, b) Miniopterus schreibersii, c) Pipistrellus pipistrellus, d) Hypsugo savi, and e) P. nathusii which are all protected by international and national legislation. Further research on bats in the wider study area is considered of fundamental importance. The results of this preliminary survey impose careful planning of any kind of investment projects in the area (e.g. wind-farms, ski centers), aiming at the reduction of impacts on bats, and therefore on the total biodiversity of Prespa.