Biologists studying bats in a crowded city placed acoustic sensors in parks, alleys, and rooftop gardens. They expected the largest parks to contain the most bat activity because those parks had more trees. The recordings partly supported that prediction, but they also revealed frequent activity above several small rooftop gardens. These gardens were separated from large parks yet contained flowering plants that attracted insects. The researchers concluded that size alone did not explain where bats fed. A network of small green spaces could provide useful stopping points between larger habitats. The study did not show that rooftops could replace parks; instead, it suggested that both kinds of spaces may contribute to an urban habitat system. Which finding most surprised the researchers?

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