Altringham Lab

Spatial Ecology

We have recently completed a multi-spatial-scale study of bat:habitat relations in the Lake District National Park, one of the richest and most varied regions in the north of England. This beautiful and ever-changing landscape is ideally suited to this kind of study. Bat activity is being measured systematically from the valleys to the highest peaks and the data have been used to build GIS-based predictive models of habitat use. In addition to the ecological questions addressed, this project has important applications in practical conservation. We are now extending this approach to the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes with Little Langdale in the foreground, Lake District National Park