The ‘White Nose Syndrome’ that has been devastating America’s bat populations since at least 2007 is “unprecedented” and could have economic and human health ramifications, a US House of Representatives hearing heard yesterday.
At a joint meeting of two subcommittees, experts lined up to warn of potential consequences not just for bats but also for human health and the economy.
Marvin Moriarty, Northeast Regional Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, said it is estimated that somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million bats have died so far as a result of the fungus-related syndrome, which is named for the white fungus build up on bat noses. “The rapid onset and high mortality associated with this disease is unprecedented, making WNS the greatest challenge to bat conservation we have ever faced,” he says.
He points out that bats eat vast numbers of insects, thus protecting both crops and reducing human disease transmission by these bugs. Less bats = more insects = potentially more disease.
“Their decline will likely have far reaching ramifications for both agriculture and public health,” agrees Madeleine Bordallo, chairwoman of the subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
She adds that one study estimates that the value of bats in controlling cotton pests in Texas along could be $1.7 million a year.
“Because bats are primary predators of night-flying insects, a significant decline in bat populations could contribute to larger insect pest populations, a possible decrease of agricultural crop production, and a potential decline in forested ecosystem resiliency, including forest health,”
Joel Holtrop, deputy chief of the National Forest System, told the hearing that decline in bat numbers could damage forests as well as agricultural crops. Increasing insect numbers could also increase use of pesticides, with further environmental impacts, he says.
News coverage
Deadly bat disease spreading fast, scientists warn lawmakers – McClatchy Newspapers
Experts: Bat fungus causing historic decline – AP
Previous coverage
Baffling bat bane spreading – January 26, 2009
Fungus linked to bat deaths identified – October 31, 2008
‘White Nose Syndrome’ threatens America’s bats – January 31, 2008
Photo: Al Hicks / USGS