Urbanization affects wildlife communities through habitat alteration and loss, which can be particularly detrimental to species that are sensitive to environmental changes, such as bats. Bats play a critical role in ecosystems as pollinators and insect predators, but their populations can be impacted by habitat loss and fragmentation. This study explores bat community composition as a function of urban development and seasonality across three sites that vary in urban development in northern California: CSU Sacramento (high urban) and Rattlesnake Bar, Beal’s Point, and Folsom Point within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (intermediate urban and rural). Acoustic monitors will be deployed for the summer, fall, and winter seasons for 30 days each season, and will be rotated every 10 days. Additionally, a fourth round of monitoring will take place at Auburn Airport (Auburn, CA), Effie Yeaw Nature Center (Sacramento, CA), and Round Valley Regional Preserve (Brentwood, CA) to further capture bat diversity along the urban gradient. By analyzing species richness, diversity, and activity patterns, I aim to assess how urbanization impacts bat populations. I expect lower species diversity in more urbanized areas and also expect seasonal variation in bat activity. This research will contribute valuable insights into the effects of urban expansion on bat communities and inform conservation strategies for urban landscapes.

Kellie Ventura is a master’s student in Biology at California State University, Sacramento. She earned her bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from Cal Poly Humboldt, where she worked on projects involving hoary bats, mesocarnivores, and shorebirds. After graduation, she worked with flat-tailed horned lizards and spotted owls before pursuing her master’s degree. With a strong background in wildlife biology and field research, Kellie is particularly passionate about conservation and urban ecology. Her work focuses on understanding how species interact with and adapt to urban environments. Kellie is dedicated to supporting research and conservation strategies that address the challenges posed by urbanization.