defoliation Archives - Science Connected Magazine

Skeletonized leaf typical of plots with bats excluded and trophic cascade prevented. Photo by Elizabeth Beilke, University of Illinois

Biodiversity and Conservation Environment

Bats Protect Plants from Insects

January 13, 2023January 12, 2023 Science Connectedbats, defoliation, forests

Bats play an important role in forest ecosystems because of what’s called trophic cascades: they eat insects that eat trees.