Using Urban Bats to Characterize 3D Thermal Landscapes in Cities

Understanding urban heat island (UHI) effects in three dimensions remains a significant challenge due to the limited availability of high-resolution air temperature measurements at ground-based monitoring stations. This study introduces an innovative approach, utilizing urban-dwelling Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) as bio-assisted sensors to capture air temperature variations across different urban microenvironments. By equipping bats with miniature temperature loggers, we track their nocturnal flight trajectories and reconstruct fine-scale thermal landscapes in complex urban settings. Our findings reveal distinct thermal stratifications between densely built-up areas and green spaces, emphasizing the role of urban morphology in modulating near-surface atmospheric temperatures. We generated spatially varying 3D profiles of the UHI phenomenon. In addition, we assess the impact of meteorological conditions, wind patterns, and surface thermal properties on the vertical distribution of heat stress. Compared to ground-based weather stations and satellite-derived land surface temperatures (LST), bat-assisted measurements provide a unique perspective on microclimatic variability at flight altitudes ranging from tree canopies to rooftop levels. This study demonstrates the potential of biologically-assisted environmental monitoring to complement conventional urban climate research. By integrating GPS-tracked bat movement data with remote sensing and GIS analyses, we improve our understanding of spatial heat patterns and their implications for urban resilience and public health.