The Kingston lab is excited to share a new publication from Moe Moe! Her research highlights the ecological importance of limestone karst caves in Southern Shan State, Myanmar, as key habitats for diverse and understudied bat species. These bats play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem balance through insect control, pollination, and nutrient cycling.

The study found that cave characteristics such as size and temperature strongly influence bat populations, while human disturbances—such as guano harvesting, hunting, and cave development—negatively impact their abundance.

With many caves identified as vulnerable, this research emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and reduce potential public health risks associated with human–bat interactions. Find the full paper is here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04071