Scoping Review of the Bats and their ecosystem Services in Indonesia

Abstract

Bats have an important role in the ecosystem as seed spreaders, pollinators, insect controllers, and nutrient recyclers. However, there is no comprehensive review that evaluating the role of bats across biogeography in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to study the role of bats as insect controllers, seed dispersers, and pollinators based on the results of research over the last 2 decades in Indonesia. The data collected by research to published research with different keywords that covers different ecosystem of the bats. This review summarizes the importance of conserving bat populations and the ecological services they provide. It is reviewed bat-related literature published over the past two decades, with a total of 46 relevant literatures of the total literature, 47.8% studied bat diversity, 13% diversity and ecology, 17% studied its role as a pest control, 13% studied its role as a pollinator, and 8.7% studied its role as a seed disperser. The findings show that bat-related research in Indonesia has experienced an upward trend since 2003-2023. This study can be used as a basis for sustainable conservation efforts and aiming at achieving the goals of SDGs.