Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine.
Paul Cryan, PhD
Paul Cryan is a Scientist Emeritus at the Fort Collins Science Center.
Mysteries, underdogs, and gadgets have always fascinated me, so for the past two decades I have focused my research on using technology to reveal how some of the 43+ species of U.S. bats live their cryptic lives. My particular interests include uncovering bat migration behaviors and seasonal movements, discovering the details of their winter hideouts and survival strategies, and understanding how infectious diseases influence bat populations. What began as general interest in an understudied group of mammals has grown into a practical search for answers to two of the most pressing threats currently facing U.S. bats - fatalities at wind turbines and the emerging disease known as white-nose syndrome. My basic research approach is to start by synthesizing natural history and existing information, then test plausible new hypotheses in a scientifically defensible way through observational and experimental field studies. I gravitate toward new collaborations and technologies that take us beyond existing methods and expand our abilities to follow and discover what (and how) bats are doing out there in the dark.
Science and Products
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
North American bats face unprecedented threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, white-nose syndrome, wind energy development, and climate change. However, it is difficult to evaluate the impacts of these threats due to a lack of basic information about the distribution and abundance of bats across the continent. Although bat monitoring has long been conducted in individual areas and for...
New Mexico Landscapes Field Station: Wildlife Research
Below are ongoing or completed research projects related to wildlife at the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station.
Population Assessments of the Pacific Sheath-Tailed Bat and Mariana Swiftlet
Using thermal cameras, we are determining the population size and cave occupancy of the Mariana swiftlet and Pacific sheath-tailed bat. Both species face extirpation from the Northern Mariana Islands and are listed as endangered. Understanding the species' population status can assist in planning recovery efforts for both species.
Developing online integrated data visualization tools for WNS and NABat
Bat Research Research collaboration: Brian Reichert (FORT), Anne Ballmann (NWHC), Jeremy Coleman (USFWS), Paul Cryan (FORT), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), and Katherine Irvine (NOROCK) White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), which has decimated hibernating bat populations across North America since it emerged 10 years ago in New York. While diagnostic...
Ecology of Wildlife Disease
Some of the biggest challenges facing wildlife today are changes to their environment from both natural and anthropogenic causes. Natural resource managers, planners, policy makers, industry and private landowners must make informed decisions and policies regarding management, conservation, and restoration of species, habitats, and ecosystem function in response to these changes.
Species Conservation
Large-scale changes are occurring to our natural landscapes, often resulting in changes to the distribution and abundance of species living within these landscapes. Populations of many species affected by these natural or anthropogenic changes require focused management to ensure their conservation and sometimes recovery from the brink of extinction.
Non-invasive Surveillance of Bat Hibernacula to Investigate Potential Behavioral Causes of Mortality Associated with White Nose Syndrome
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that threatens the survival of hibernating bats in North America. Since first documented in the winter of 2005/2006, WNS has spread from a very small area of New York across at least two thousand kilometers and half or more of states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada.
Ecological Investigations of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that threatens the survival of hibernating bats in North America. Since first documented in the winter of 2005/2006, WNS has spread from a very small area of New York across at least two thousand kilometers in half or more of states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada. Over five million bats are estimated to have died during the past decade from...
White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America
During the winter of 2006–2007, an affliction of unknown origin dubbed “white-nose syndrome” (WNS) began devastating colonies of hibernating bats in a small area around Albany, New York. Colonies of hibernating bats were reduced 80–97 percent at the affected caves and mines that were surveyed. Since then, white-nose syndrome or its causative agent have consistently spread more than 2,000...
Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines—Investigating the Causes and Consequences
Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world and represents an important step toward reducing dependence on nonrenewable sources of power. However, widespread deployment of industrial wind turbines is having unprecedented adverse effects on certain species of bats that roost in trees and migrate. Bats are beneficial consumers of agricultural insect pests and migratory species...
Bat Species of Concern: An Ecological Synthesis for Resource Managers
A large number of bat species are considered “species of concern” in the United States and its Territories, and resource managers are increasingly interested in learning more about their distribution, status, and potential management.
Animal Migration and Spatial Subsidies: Establishing a Framework for Conservation Markets
Migratory species may provide more ecosystem goods and services to humans in certain parts of their range than others. These areas may or may not coincide with the locations of habitat on which the species is most dependent for its continued population viability. This situation can present significant policy challenges, as locations that most support a given species may be in effect...
Wind_turbines_thermal_cams_UV_lights_P_Cryan.JPG
Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine.
Hibernating little brown bat
A little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) with white-nose syndrome hibernating in a Virginia cave during late spring of 2016.
A little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) with white-nose syndrome hibernating in a Virginia cave during late spring of 2016.
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees in Hawaii
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees on an island in Hawaii. Paul Cryan, USGS, Fort Collins Science Center.
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees on an island in Hawaii. Paul Cryan, USGS, Fort Collins Science Center.
Insect sampling at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in CA
USGS Scientist, Ernie Valdez, sampling for insects at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in southern California.
USGS Scientist, Ernie Valdez, sampling for insects at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in southern California.
A lone wind turbine.
This is an image of a wind turbine in a corn field taken in Wyoming in the summer of 2014.
This is an image of a wind turbine in a corn field taken in Wyoming in the summer of 2014.
Bat emergence, Paul Cryan, USGS photo.
Mexican free-tailed bats that emerged from Bracken Cave in Texas fly among the trees in the early evening sky.
Mexican free-tailed bats that emerged from Bracken Cave in Texas fly among the trees in the early evening sky.
Wind Turbines During Approaching Storm
A field of wind turbines in Wyoming with a storm rolling in.
A field of wind turbines in Wyoming with a storm rolling in.
Wheat Field Wind Turbines in Wyoming
Wheat field wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wheat field wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wind turbines working in Wyoming.
Bat Hanging from Cave Ceiling
A healthy, banded little brown bat hangs out in a cave. Photo credit: Paul Cryan, USGS.
A healthy, banded little brown bat hangs out in a cave. Photo credit: Paul Cryan, USGS.
Wind turbines around a farm house
Wind turbines around a farm house
Wind turbines around a farm house
Bats in a Texas Evening Sky
Insect-eating Brazilian Free-Tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) provide a great pest-control service to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Insect-eating Brazilian Free-Tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) provide a great pest-control service to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Wind turbine on farm land next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind Turbines and Forest
Two wind turbines in a New York forest.
Two wind turbines in a New York forest.
Wind Turbine and Forest
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
Science and Products
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
North American bats face unprecedented threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, white-nose syndrome, wind energy development, and climate change. However, it is difficult to evaluate the impacts of these threats due to a lack of basic information about the distribution and abundance of bats across the continent. Although bat monitoring has long been conducted in individual areas and for...
New Mexico Landscapes Field Station: Wildlife Research
Below are ongoing or completed research projects related to wildlife at the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station.
Population Assessments of the Pacific Sheath-Tailed Bat and Mariana Swiftlet
Using thermal cameras, we are determining the population size and cave occupancy of the Mariana swiftlet and Pacific sheath-tailed bat. Both species face extirpation from the Northern Mariana Islands and are listed as endangered. Understanding the species' population status can assist in planning recovery efforts for both species.
Developing online integrated data visualization tools for WNS and NABat
Bat Research Research collaboration: Brian Reichert (FORT), Anne Ballmann (NWHC), Jeremy Coleman (USFWS), Paul Cryan (FORT), Wayne Thogmartin (UMESC), and Katherine Irvine (NOROCK) White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), which has decimated hibernating bat populations across North America since it emerged 10 years ago in New York. While diagnostic...
Ecology of Wildlife Disease
Some of the biggest challenges facing wildlife today are changes to their environment from both natural and anthropogenic causes. Natural resource managers, planners, policy makers, industry and private landowners must make informed decisions and policies regarding management, conservation, and restoration of species, habitats, and ecosystem function in response to these changes.
Species Conservation
Large-scale changes are occurring to our natural landscapes, often resulting in changes to the distribution and abundance of species living within these landscapes. Populations of many species affected by these natural or anthropogenic changes require focused management to ensure their conservation and sometimes recovery from the brink of extinction.
Non-invasive Surveillance of Bat Hibernacula to Investigate Potential Behavioral Causes of Mortality Associated with White Nose Syndrome
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that threatens the survival of hibernating bats in North America. Since first documented in the winter of 2005/2006, WNS has spread from a very small area of New York across at least two thousand kilometers and half or more of states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada.
Ecological Investigations of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that threatens the survival of hibernating bats in North America. Since first documented in the winter of 2005/2006, WNS has spread from a very small area of New York across at least two thousand kilometers in half or more of states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada. Over five million bats are estimated to have died during the past decade from...
White-Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America
During the winter of 2006–2007, an affliction of unknown origin dubbed “white-nose syndrome” (WNS) began devastating colonies of hibernating bats in a small area around Albany, New York. Colonies of hibernating bats were reduced 80–97 percent at the affected caves and mines that were surveyed. Since then, white-nose syndrome or its causative agent have consistently spread more than 2,000...
Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines—Investigating the Causes and Consequences
Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world and represents an important step toward reducing dependence on nonrenewable sources of power. However, widespread deployment of industrial wind turbines is having unprecedented adverse effects on certain species of bats that roost in trees and migrate. Bats are beneficial consumers of agricultural insect pests and migratory species...
Bat Species of Concern: An Ecological Synthesis for Resource Managers
A large number of bat species are considered “species of concern” in the United States and its Territories, and resource managers are increasingly interested in learning more about their distribution, status, and potential management.
Animal Migration and Spatial Subsidies: Establishing a Framework for Conservation Markets
Migratory species may provide more ecosystem goods and services to humans in certain parts of their range than others. These areas may or may not coincide with the locations of habitat on which the species is most dependent for its continued population viability. This situation can present significant policy challenges, as locations that most support a given species may be in effect...
Wind_turbines_thermal_cams_UV_lights_P_Cryan.JPG
Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine.
Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine.
Hibernating little brown bat
A little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) with white-nose syndrome hibernating in a Virginia cave during late spring of 2016.
A little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) with white-nose syndrome hibernating in a Virginia cave during late spring of 2016.
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees in Hawaii
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees on an island in Hawaii. Paul Cryan, USGS, Fort Collins Science Center.
Wind turbines and a rainbow towering high above trees on an island in Hawaii. Paul Cryan, USGS, Fort Collins Science Center.
Insect sampling at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in CA
USGS Scientist, Ernie Valdez, sampling for insects at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in southern California.
USGS Scientist, Ernie Valdez, sampling for insects at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in southern California.
A lone wind turbine.
This is an image of a wind turbine in a corn field taken in Wyoming in the summer of 2014.
This is an image of a wind turbine in a corn field taken in Wyoming in the summer of 2014.
Bat emergence, Paul Cryan, USGS photo.
Mexican free-tailed bats that emerged from Bracken Cave in Texas fly among the trees in the early evening sky.
Mexican free-tailed bats that emerged from Bracken Cave in Texas fly among the trees in the early evening sky.
Wind Turbines During Approaching Storm
A field of wind turbines in Wyoming with a storm rolling in.
A field of wind turbines in Wyoming with a storm rolling in.
Wheat Field Wind Turbines in Wyoming
Wheat field wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wheat field wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wind turbines in Wyoming.
Wind turbines working in Wyoming.
Bat Hanging from Cave Ceiling
A healthy, banded little brown bat hangs out in a cave. Photo credit: Paul Cryan, USGS.
A healthy, banded little brown bat hangs out in a cave. Photo credit: Paul Cryan, USGS.
Wind turbines around a farm house
Wind turbines around a farm house
Wind turbines around a farm house
Bats in a Texas Evening Sky
Insect-eating Brazilian Free-Tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) provide a great pest-control service to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Insect-eating Brazilian Free-Tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) provide a great pest-control service to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Wind turbine on farm land next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind turbine next to a dilapidated barn
Wind Turbines and Forest
Two wind turbines in a New York forest.
Two wind turbines in a New York forest.
Wind Turbine and Forest
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.
Two wind turbines from side on clear day.