PECS y comunicación

The most important criteria of choice of places of research was among other things large number of particular bat populations. Data of refugioclimate were collected in the years 2002 – 2007 in the following underground systems of Poland and the Czech Republic (Table 2):

Table no. 2. List of underground systems in which research was conducted.

Name of underground system longitude latitude

Sewers and shopfloor in Police E 14° 32' 5 N 53° 33' 4

Międzyrzecz Fortified Region E 15° 29' 2 N 52° 23' 4

Mopkowy Tunel (Barbastelle Tunnel) E 15° 12' 4 N 51° 48' 4

Cold store in Cieszków E 17° 22' 3 N 51° 37' 1

A cellar in Ładza E 17° 87' 1 N 50° 84' 7

Szachownica Cave E 18° 48' 2 N 51° 31' 5

Underground systems of Tarnowskie Góry and

Bytom E 18° 49' 5 N 50° 24' 8

Fortifications in Nysa E 17° 18' 5 N 50° 29' 4

A drift in Sławniowice E 17° 16' 4 N 50° 20' 1

Drifts in forest administration region of Senderki E 23° 34' 2 N 50° 32' 2

The Balcarka Cave E 16° 45'2 N 49° 22' 3

Sewers and shopfloor in Police

Network of underground sewers 4000 m long and shopfloor which are remains of prewar factory of aviation fuel (synthetic petrol) – Hydrier Werke Politz. The biggest winter habitat of bats in Western Pomerania (780 specimens – winter period 2003). Six bat species winter here: Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis myotis, Myotis brandtii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis nattereri, Plecotus auritus.

It is located in Zachodniopomorskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH320015).

Międzyrzecz Fortified Region

Refugium Nietoperek encompasses a vast network of old underground fortifications i.e. 30 km of reinforced concrete bunkers, 30-50 m under ground level. They form a part of so called Międzyrzecz Fortified Region constructed by the Nazi in the years 1933 – 1945. The underground system is connected with the surface by several vertical ventilation shafts and corridors leading to the bunkers. The area encompasses the most important winter habitat of bats in Central Europe and their feeding grounds. About 30 thousand bats winter here (Kokurewicz et al., 2013). The most numerous are: Myotis daubentoni, Myotis myotis, Plecotus auritus and Myotis nattereri. The following species also occur: Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis dasycneme, Myotis bechsteinii, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis brandtii, Myotis mystacinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Plecotus austriacus.

It is located in Lubuskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH080003).

Mopkowy Tunel (Barbastelle Tunnel)

Underground drain of a former factory located near Krzystkowice with the outlet to the Bóbr river. The largest known in Poland winter grouping of Barbastella barbastellus. Around 2000 specimens winter here. Several specimens of Myotis daubentonii and Plecotus auritus also occur here.

It is located in Lubuskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH080024).

the village of Cieszków. Probably it was built in the 19 century and served then to the needs of the palace in Cieszków. Later, it was used as a cold store by various users.

It is located in Dolnośląskie province. It is one of the largest winter habitats of bats in Poland. The guide Natura 2000 (2004-05) lists 200 specimens of Barbastella barbastellus, 10-15 Myotis myotis and Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis nattereri, Plecotus auritus, Plecotus austriacus. Apart from playing the role of hibernaculum, the cold store is also important for bats which migrate. Late in summer and autumn a large number of specimens are observed which were not spotted here in winter period, for which it is a mating site.

It is now secured by Forest District Office in Milicz. A number of changes was introduced in the structure of the facility the purpose of which was to improve microclimatic conditions to make them optimal for bats. Among other things additional partition walls were constructed as well as a pool which ensures appropriate humidity.

The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH020001).

A cellar in Ładza

A small cellar in a building of a former school (currently management of Stobrawski Landscape Protection Park) in Ładza in Opolskie province. Each year 2 specimens of the following species winter here: Plecotus auritus and Plecotus austriacus.

It is located in Opolskie province.

Szachownica Cave

Proglacial cave system in Upper Jurassic limestone in the central part of Wieluńska Upland. The cave system is composed of five separate caves separated by excavation of the quarry. They used to form one cave, destroyed during exploitation of limestone performed by local inhabitants till 1962. Currently, the place is treated as one cave system of total length of 1000 m, which before destruction was probably longer than 2 km.

It is one of the largest winter habitats of bats in Poland. Each year over 1000 bats representing 10 species hibernate in the cave: Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis dasycneme, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis myotis, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis brandtii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis nattereri, Plecotus auritus.

It is located in Śląskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH240004).

Underground systems of Tarnowskie Góry and Bytom

Underground excavations remaining after exploitation of heavy metals ore. One of the largest underground systems in the world. The excavations were formed from the 12th _{to the 20}th _{century. Currently they cover over 300 km of corridors as well}

as numerous chambers and pits. The underground system encompasses 5 drain adits, numerous shafts and outcrops in quarries. It is probably second largest winter habitat of bats in Poland. The following 10 species of bats were observed here to winter: Myotis myotis, Myotis nattereri, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis brandtii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis bechsteini, Myotis emarginatus, Eptesicus serotinus, Plecotus auritus, Plecotus austriacus (Kłys, 2008).

It is located in Śląskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH240003).

Fortifications in Nysa

A vast defensive complex of buildings from the 19th _{century with a large}

number of corridors, constructed in topographic low of the valley of Nysa Kłodzka river, currently located in the town park in Nysa. One of the most important wintering habitats of bats in Silesia (Hebda 2001). The guide Natura 2000 informs about wintering of the following species: Rhinolophus hipposideros, Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis myotis.

It is located in Opolskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH160001).

A drift in Sławniowice

Underground corridor located near the village of Sławniowice on the premises of a marble quarry. About 200 specimens of lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros winter here. It is the largest known winter habitat of lesser horseshoe bat in the Polish part of Sudety mountains (Kepel et al., 2005). In the vicinity there is a breeding colony of this species.

It is located in Opolskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH160004).

stones in Forestry Commission of Zwierzyniec and on private grounds west from a village of Potok Senderki, behind a grove intersected by a road which is a continuation of the main road which leads through the aforementioned village. The drifts are located at the bottom of tree-covered ravines which cut into fields.

It is one of the most interesting winter colonies of bats in Lublin region. Nine bat species winter here: Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis dasycneme, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis myotis, Myotis brandtii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis nattereri, Plecotus auritus.

It is located in Lubelskie province. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: PLH060020).

The Balcarka Cave (Jeskyně Balcarka)

Balcarka Caves are located in a valley close to a small town of Ostrov u Macochy. Underground maze of corridors, crevices and chambers is created on two levels. The cave is also a valuable paleontological and archaeological site. Bones of Pleistocene animals, instruments made of bone and stone and a bonfire of people from the Old Stone Age were found there. Subsequent parts of the cave were successively discovered in the years 1923 – 1948 and are characterized by rich, various and colourful dripstones. It is one of the most important wintering places of Rhinolophus hipposideros in Europe.

It is located in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: CZ0624130 - Moravský kras).

Sloup – Šošůvka Cave (Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně)

An extensive complex of chambers, corridors and underground chasms created on two levels. Abundant cave fauna (bears, lions, hyenas...) was found there. Remains of Neanderthal man from 120,000 years ago were also found in that place. It is one of the most important wintering places of Rhinolophus hipposideros in Europe (Zima et al., 1994).

It is located in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic. The facility has been included into the Natura 2000 network the purpose of which is to preserve specific types

of habitats and species which are considered valuable and endangered in entire Europe (area code: CZ0624130 - Moravský kras).

5.3. General overview of devices and methodology of measurement