The battle to save vulnerable bat species has taken an innovative turn. With populations declining due to habitat loss, disease, and environmental pressures, scientists are turning to biomaterials to create safe, sustainable habitats that support these critical creatures.

From biodegradables to bioderived materials, the latest research is focused on crafting artificial roosts that mimic natural environments while enhancing safety and dispersal capabilities.

Understanding the Need for New Habitats

North American bats face severe threats from human activities and ecological changes. Notably, the deadly white-nose syndrome has devastated bat populations, with mortality rates as high as 90% for species like the northern long-eared bat, listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As traditional habitats are lost or compromised, the need for safe roosting spaces has become urgent.

3D-Printed Roosts: Mimicking Natural Structures

At the forefront of these efforts is Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where researchers are using a unique composite made from pine wood flour and a biodegradable polymer to 3D print custom bat roosts. Evin Carter, an ORNL wildlife ecologist, highlights the importance of designing roosts that support natural behaviors while controlling population density. “Attracting a large number of an endangered species to one area carries significant risks, from disease to catastrophic weather events,” Carter explains, emphasizing the importance of these designs in promoting healthy, distributed populations.

Biomaterials as a Conservation Tool

These novel roosting structures are made to replicate natural environments and address issues with traditional artificial habitats. Bats often struggle to adapt to synthetic roosts, leading to crowded spaces and increased risk of disease transmission. The biodegradable material developed at ORNL provides a safer alternative, fostering conditions that encourage bats to disperse when needed, a crucial behavior for their long-term survival, Phys.org reports.

Disease Threats and Habitat Design

The primary challenge for these biomaterial roosts is controlling disease, particularly white-nose syndrome. This fungal infection thrives in cold, damp environments and disrupts hibernation, often resulting in the death of infected bats.

“Many of our common artificial roosts, like bat boxes, unintentionally promote crowded conditions where diseases can spread more easily,” Carter told the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

By designing biodegradable roosts that mimic natural dispersal patterns, scientists are giving bats a better chance to avoid this deadly disease. Furthermore, ORNL’s composite material is crafted to be weather-resistant yet designed to decompose naturally over time, reducing ecological impact once it’s no longer needed.

Scaling Up Conservation Efforts

The scalability of biomaterial roosts is another promising aspect of this technology. With 3D printing, scientists can produce these roosts in large numbers at a relatively low cost, enabling conservationists to quickly deploy them in diverse locations. By replicating the unique textures and hollow cavities of natural tree bark, these roosts offer a familiar and safe environment for bats to rest and breed, Phys.org reports. The adaptability of 3D printing also allows conservationists to design roosts specific to each bat species’ needs, increasing the likelihood of adoption and sustained use by local populations.

Local Partnerships: A Vital Component

For large-scale deployment to succeed, local partnerships with conservation organizations, parks, and communities are essential. In Tennessee, ORNL collaborates closely with state parks and local wildlife agencies to place the biomaterial roosts in critical bat habitats. By working with landowners, national parks, and wildlife preservation groups, these efforts are strategically targeting locations where bats are most in need of habitat support, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports. This collaborative approach ensures roosts are not only effectively placed but also monitored for their impact and effectiveness over time.

The Future of Bat Conservation

As technology and conservation continue to intersect, biomaterials offer a glimpse into a sustainable future where artificial structures can meaningfully coexist with nature. Through continued research and local partnerships, 3D-printed biomaterial roosts could serve as a blueprint for future conservation efforts aimed at other endangered species. ORNL’s Carter sees this as “just the beginning of a new frontier where technology, sustainability, and ecological science combine to address some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.”

The success of biomaterial roosts in supporting bat populations may also inspire further advancements in material science for conservation, especially for ecosystems that are difficult to restore manually. By using nature-inspired materials that function within existing ecological frameworks, scientists are not only preserving endangered species but also promoting biodiversity and resilience across habitats.