Hossein Zohoori
The project will ensure a better knowledge of the relationship between bats and caves in the area. Species, community and phenology of the different species will be important in guiding conservation efforts for the caves and the foraging areas. The awareness will improve the relationship of local population with the taxa in the future. The results will be used to create a data bank of caves and bats and increase the number of cavers aware of the needs for bat education who will also be protectors of cave bats in the immediate future.
Firstly it is important to encourage cavers by advertisement (posters, social media, internet...) to think more about cave ecosystems and provide information about the project. A one day workshop open to all the stakeholders will inform participants about bat biology and conservation, the role and importance of cave ecosystems and of the contribution cavers can make to bat conservation. After the workshop a one day fieldwork will show how to collect information, improve bat knowledge and cave exploration methods.
A program of formation for some selected cavers to become educators will be also conducted to improve awareness on bat and cave protection in schools and public. Cavers will develop the possibility to collect bat information in the field and transfer it to bat specialists to ensure knowledge and conservation on the different cave taxa. A network of interested people will be created.