**4. Conclusion**

In conclusion, for the benefit of present and future generations, bat management by governmental agencies and NGOs needs to be evaluated. Additionally, more understanding is needed of how ecosystem services provided by bats contribute to livelihoods and how far the benefits provided by bats elevate their detrimental impact. Furthermore, in the context of accelerating environmental change, there is an urgent need to identify ecosystem conservation, restoration, and management strategies that are likely to support biodiverse and adaptive ecosystems in the future. We hope that increased awareness about these nocturnal, fast-flying, and secretive mammals can help build synergies between international scientific knowledge, conservation priorities, and local cultural values, which together can promote the benefits of the ecosystem services provided by bats (Video 1, https:// www.merlintuttle.org/video/the-importance-of-bats/).
