Optimizing the Spatial Distribution of Fruiting Agave on Bat-Friendly Tequila Plantations
Event Type
Research Presentation
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
24-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
24-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Bat-friendly tequila plantations aim to feed pollinating bats like the Mexican Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) by allowing a portion of their crop to flower at the expense of the final harvest size. We seek to determine if the spatial distribution of flowering agave has any impact on the number of bats a plantation could support, so that farmers interested in preserving nectarivorous bats could do so more efficiently. We created an agent-based model, a type of computer simulation, to study the interaction of L. nivalis bats and Agave tequilana. The model is informed by phenology and empirical parameters from the literature such as energetics. We compared four different spatial arrangements of flowering agave and determined spatial distribution does impact bat populations, with the most efficient arrangements yielding population estimates consistent with conservationist predictions, validating our model. Finally, the emergent bat carrying capacity of a plantation is directly proportional to the amount of flowering agave meaning that farmers need not worry about diminishing returns from their conservation efforts.
Optimizing the Spatial Distribution of Fruiting Agave on Bat-Friendly Tequila Plantations
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Bat-friendly tequila plantations aim to feed pollinating bats like the Mexican Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) by allowing a portion of their crop to flower at the expense of the final harvest size. We seek to determine if the spatial distribution of flowering agave has any impact on the number of bats a plantation could support, so that farmers interested in preserving nectarivorous bats could do so more efficiently. We created an agent-based model, a type of computer simulation, to study the interaction of L. nivalis bats and Agave tequilana. The model is informed by phenology and empirical parameters from the literature such as energetics. We compared four different spatial arrangements of flowering agave and determined spatial distribution does impact bat populations, with the most efficient arrangements yielding population estimates consistent with conservationist predictions, validating our model. Finally, the emergent bat carrying capacity of a plantation is directly proportional to the amount of flowering agave meaning that farmers need not worry about diminishing returns from their conservation efforts.
Comments
Under the direction of Dr. Alex Capaldi, James Madison University. Coordinated by Dr. Molly Weselcouch.