Conservation of Bats in Florida
Holly K. Ober and Frank J. Mazzotti
Bats are declining throughout North America, including Florida. This is worrisome because bats are an essential part of natural ecosystems throughout the world, serving as valuable allies to humans by consuming enormous quantities of night-flying insects, many of which are pests to humans and to crops. In tropical countries, bats also play a vital role in pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds.