Research, Conservation & Education
North-South Ecology Ltd is a leading ecological consultancy dedicated to bat research, conservation, and education. The company actively conducts and funds research projects in Wales and internationally, with a strong focus on collaboration, capacity building, and inclusivity in conservation science. As part of its commitment to advancing bat research, North-South Ecology Ltd reinvests a portion of its profits into conservation initiatives and works closely with local bat groups in South East Wales.
Key Research & Education Projects
The Vale Serotine Project – Investigating the ecology of serotine bats, a species vulnerable to extinction in Wales and England. This long-term study involves ringing and radio tracking to understand movement patterns, habitat use, and population dynamics.
The Woodland Myotis Project – Focused on identifying key habitats and establishing species distributions of cryptic and under recorded species, using genetic methods.
The Bat Lure Project - is a citizen science initiative aimed at optimizing the use of acoustic lures for bat research. The project aims to identify the most effective lure models, call types, and settings to attract specific bat species, and to develop species-specific guidance on lure use for U.K. bats. By refining lure techniques, the project seeks to reduce survey effort and minimize disturbance to non-target species. More information can be found at: https://www.batlureproject.com/
The Cardiff Education Project – A community outreach program that delivered over 70 talks to educate the public about bats, their ecological roles, and conservation, while countering misinformation, following negative press during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Research
North-South Ecology Ltd have been involved in international research efforts covering a broad range of research topics including research on climate change impacts on bats, mitigating human-bat conflict, habitat use, migration and movement studies. North-South Ecology Ltd have experience working with bats throughout the world including Europe, Central America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Currently North-South Ecology Ltd are collaborating with wildlife research organisations in Asia, working to develop bat research initiatives, provide training for local researchers, and build capacity in conservation science. This includes projects aimed at understanding bat roosting/habitat preferences, mitigating human-bat conflict issues, and creating educational resources to support the next generation of bat workers.
These international projects emphasize a commitment to advancing bat conservation through research, education, and capacity building, ensuring that local communities are equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry conservation efforts forward.
