[6] The insectivorous food habits of bats play an important role in maintaining a balance among insect populations.

[7] Bat droppings or guano support entire ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria which are useful in detoxifying wastes, as well as producing gasohol (mixture of gasoline and alcohol) and certain antibiotics.

[5] Karst, a special type of landscape, is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone and dolomite.

[5] The Ozark big-eared bats use caves all year around, thus they are highly susceptible to extinction if their homes vary too greatly in temperature, are disturbed, or are destroyed.

[7] Bats face multiple threats of pesticide poisoning, roost destruction and closure, habitat loss, diseases such as white nose syndrome, over-exploitation, and extermination as pests.

Predation at the cave entrance by house cats, racoons, bobcats, and other animals has also caused significant mortality.