The Life Hidden Inside Caves: Ecological and Economic Importance of Bat Guano
Joint Authors
Sakoui, Souraya
Derdak, Reda
Addoum, Boutaina
Serrano-Delgado, Aurelio
Soukri, Abdelaziz
El Khalfi, Bouchra
Source
International Journal of Ecology
Issue
Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2020-11-19
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Bats are emblematic hosts of caves.
These small flying mammals deserve special attention because their presence has a great economic and ecological impact; they introduce organic matter, the guano, in the ecosystem they live in.
Indeed, “guano” (a Quechua word meaning “fertilizer”) is the accumulation of their fecal matter (excreta); its deposition can reach several meters.
The composition of guano is influenced by the bat’s food.
In addition to its role within the caves, the bat guano is exploited for various purposes; it is used as an effective fertilizer for the cultivation of plants because of having exceptionally high content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium and also for the improvement of detergents and other products of great value for humans.
The bat guano hosts various classes of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, and protists), which are adapted to the cave environment.
Since guano is highly acidic, these microorganisms can be considered as extremophiles.
They produce functional organic compounds in extreme conditions that could be of interest not only in the drug industry but also in different biotechnological areas.
Here, we review already available information on the ecological and economic effects of bats and their guano.
We report their food preferences, foraging behaviors, and environmental impacts.
Information on these aspects may be useful in finding a solution about protection and preservation of bat populations.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Sakoui, Souraya& Derdak, Reda& Addoum, Boutaina& Serrano-Delgado, Aurelio& Soukri, Abdelaziz& El Khalfi, Bouchra. 2020. The Life Hidden Inside Caves: Ecological and Economic Importance of Bat Guano. International Journal of Ecology،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1170734
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Sakoui, Souraya…[et al.]. The Life Hidden Inside Caves: Ecological and Economic Importance of Bat Guano. International Journal of Ecology No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1170734
American Medical Association (AMA)
Sakoui, Souraya& Derdak, Reda& Addoum, Boutaina& Serrano-Delgado, Aurelio& Soukri, Abdelaziz& El Khalfi, Bouchra. The Life Hidden Inside Caves: Ecological and Economic Importance of Bat Guano. International Journal of Ecology. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1170734
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1170734