Disruptive effects of brief radiofrequency noise exposure on migratory bat navigation

Abstract

How anthropogenic electromagnetic noise can affect living systems is a poorly understood impact of an increasingly urbanized natural environment, especially when occurring in a sublethal manner. In this study, we investigated impacts of weak-broadband radiofrequency (RF) fields on animal behavior. We exposed migratory soprano pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) to 0.01- to 300-megahertz RF fields and then tested their orientation later in the night. Whereas control bats oriented normally, bats exposed to RF noise exhibited random departure flight orientation, suggesting disruptive effects lasting beyond immediate exposure. These findings suggest that electromagnetic pollution has the potential to have a greater effect on animal behavior than previously assumed.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Control bats oriented normally, whereas bats exposed to 0.01- to 300-megahertz RF noise exhibited random departure flight orientation. The abstract reports disruptive effects lasting beyond immediate exposure.

Outcomes measured

• departure flight orientation
• navigation behavior

Limitations

• Sample size not stated in abstract
• Exposure intensity not stated beyond description as weak-broadband RF fields
• Mechanism not described in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "weak-broadband radiofrequency fields",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "brief exposure; tested later in the night"
    },
    "population": "Migratory soprano pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "departure flight orientation",
        "navigation behavior"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Control bats oriented normally, whereas bats exposed to 0.01- to 300-megahertz RF noise exhibited random departure flight orientation. The abstract reports disruptive effects lasting beyond immediate exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not stated in abstract",
        "Exposure intensity not stated beyond description as weak-broadband RF fields",
        "Mechanism not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "RF fields",
        "electromagnetic noise",
        "electromagnetic pollution",
        "animal behavior",
        "bat navigation",
        "migratory bats",
        "Pipistrellus pygmaeus",
        "orientation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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