Meike Mai
Jan 4, 2022
Expedition 2022 - Malawi
In April 2022, BBF funded a Conservation Research Africa (CRA) expedition to the Mulanje Mountain (MM) in south-eastern Malawi. It is the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Malawi and has been highlighted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as of key importance to bat conservation in Africa (Hutson, Mickleburgh & Racey 2001), having high endemism and species diversity. CRA has been working in Malawi to conserve bats through research, outreach and education activities.
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Project objectives of this expedition were:
To determine and compare diversity and assemblage composition of bat communities between habitat types in protected and unprotected (disturbed) areas.
To determine and compare bat species abundance and distribution between habitats in protected and unprotected (disturbed) areas.
To collect bat species for genome sequencing
Twelve different species were captured using mist nets and harp traps and the samples collected will be received at BBF for sequencing
