Harvesting old-growth stands may also have negative impacts on foraging by bats. There is mounting evidence, exemplified by Lisa Crampton's work, that bats spend more time foraging in gaps in old growth forests than they do in younger forests, perhaps because insects are more abundant in these locations. Paul Bradshaw's University of Regina study in three different old-growth forest stands on Vancouver Island added a further element to the complexity of how bats use forest habitats. The problem is that old stands, which contain large trees, are the most desirable for forest harvesting. The effects of harvesting on animals seem to be, to a large degree, specific to the type of animal.
Some species benefit, while others are negatively affected.
The challenge is to integrate what we learn about the different animals to develop long-term plans. To minimize negative effects and maintain healthy, productive forests, it is likely that a variety of systems will be required. In fact, even old fashioned horse logging has recently been used in this forest. Our next day of tracking was as steamy as the first, and the sun's hitting the south-facing slope only added to the heat. But we moved purposefully up the hill, knowing the route and anticipating that the radio-tagged female would be in the same location.