Bats in churches : an objective assessment of perceived problems
The importance of conserving species of bats native to the British Isles is widely accepted, but for some churches the presence of large numbers of bats has resulted in the deterioration of culturally significant items such as historic monuments, wall paintings, organs, memorial brasses, pews, lecterns, rood screens and fonts. Although we should hope to ensure a sustainable future for both our cultural and natural heritage, it seems that in the case of bats and churches, success in one area sometimes comes at a cost to the other. This research focuses on problems created when large numbers of bats make use of historic churches, and presents an objective view of past, present and future initiatives related to âbats in churchesâ. The research is presented and discussed in relation to a broad range of factors, and with reference to the wide range of stakeholders concerned. Damage mechanisms involved when excreta from insectivorous bats come into contact with a range of materials found within historic church interiors are examined, and answers provided to the most fundamental questions relating to their deterioration. Deterioration mechanisms and pathways are identified, and supporting evidence from experimental
Hales, J. F. D.
Bats in churches : an objective assessment of perceived problems. The importance of conserving species of bats native to the British Isles is widely accepted, but for some churches the presence of large numbers of bats has resulted in the deterioration of culturally significant items such as historic monuments, wall paintings, organs, memorial brasses, pews, lecterns, rood screens and fonts. Although we should hope to ensure a sustainable future for both our cultural and natural heritage, it seems that in the case of bats and churches, success in one area sometimes comes at a cost to the other. This research focuses on problems created when large numbers of bats make use of historic churches, and presents an objective view of past, present and future initiatives related to âbats in churchesâ. The research is presented and discussed in relation to a broad range of factors, and with reference to the wide range of stakeholders concerned. Damage mechanisms involved when excreta from insectivorous bats come into contact with a range of materials found within historic church interiors are examined, and answers provided to the most fundamental questions relating to their deterioration. Deterioration mechanisms and pathways are identified, and supporting evidence from experimental
church objective assessment perceive problem importance conserve specie native british_isles widely_accept church presence_large number result deterioration culturally significant item historic monument wall_painting organ memorial brass screen although hope ensure sustainable future cultural natural heritage seem case church success area sometimes come cost other focus problem create large_number make_use historic church present objective view past_present_future initiative related church present discussed relation broad_range factor reference wide_range stakeholder concern damage mechanism_involve come_contact range material find_within historic church interior examine answer provide fundamental_question relate deterioration deterioration mechanisms pathways identify support evidence experimental