Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU

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The U.S. Geological Surveyâ¿¿s (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on a question of major national and international interest â¿¿ how do certain hibernating bats survive the devastating disease known as White-nose syndrome (WNS)? WNS is an emerging infectious disease of hibernating bats that is causing unprecedented population declines of multiple bat species in North America, including several species that are listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Nearly three-quarters of the 43 bat species occurring in the U.S. rely on hibernation as their main strategy for surviving harsh winters and WNS potential threatens their existence. Multiple federal and state resource management agencies, as well non-governmental organizations, are either mandated or driven by public sentiment to try and decrease the adverse effects of this unprecedented wildlife crisis. There is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the emergence of this disease and existing paradigms for understanding and managing it are inadequate. New methods of studying and responding to WNS are needed.

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