With the new monitoring system invented by the researchers at the NIE, studying cave environments could become much easier, as preferences among bats for certain temperatures and types of space could provide vital clues for future studies. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Jun. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The National Institute of Ecology (NIE) has secured a patent for a new technology that can be used to monitor the environment inside caves based on the movement of bats.
With the new monitoring system invented by the researchers at the NIE, studying cave environments could become much easier, as preferences among bats for certain temperatures and types of space could provide vital clues for future studies.
Bats often find the most suitable cave in terms of temperature for hibernation periods in an effort to save as much energy as possible.
For instance, the preferred temperature of the tube-nosed bat is below four degrees Celsius, while red bats are often found in caves with a temperature between 12 and 14 degrees.
Using these preferences, the research team at the NIE was able to develop a new technology to study the spatial form and record temperatures in caves.
With nearly 1,500 natural caves around the country and a lack of information pointed out as a problem to be addressed in the past, the NIE’s latest discovery comes as exciting news for the industry.
“Natural caves are some of the best places for biological diversity research. With the new research method, we hope to speed up the study of these unique environments,” said Kim Sun-sook, a senior researcher at the NIE.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
