With the goal of achieving sustainable guano mining techniques, the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders Bat Group, with assistance from Bat Conservation International and SEABCRU, has developed a set of guano harvesting guidelines designed to minimize harmful impacts on cave bat populations. Cave ecosystems are able to function largely due to guano deposits, which contain incredible amounts of energy derived from the outside world. Humans have recognized the value of energy-rich guano as a source of phosphorous for agricultural fertilizers, and the mining of guano for this very purpose is a widespread occurrence. Popular guano mining practices, however, have contributed to the deaths of millions of bats, and the loss of priceless ecosystem services along with them. These guidelines will provide an invaluable resource for natural resource managers and wildlife biologists in Southeast Asia as they work towards more sustainable guano harvesting practices in the region.
Guano harvesting guidelines can be downloaded from the IUCNÂ here, and they are attached for download below
