Conflicts Between Birds and On-Shore Wind Farms

Zwart, Mieke C.; McKenzie, Ailsa J.; Minderman, Jeroen; Whittingham, Mark J.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22246-2_23

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Pearce‐Higgins et al ., ). Moreover, wind farms with larger numbers of turbines installed can have greater effects on wildlife compared to smaller sites, even if, for example, collision risk per turbine is relatively low (Zwart et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This is particularly pertinent where incremental changes or disturbances could combine to produce disproportionally greater (adverse) effects. For example, while the rapid growth of the wind energy sector worldwide provides a vital contribution to sustainable energy production, a growing number of studies show that wind farms can have adverse effects on wildlife (Kuvlesky et al ., ; Zwart et al ., ), both directly through collision mortality (e.g. Rydell et al ., ) and indirectly through disturbance or displacement effects (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Landscape‐scale effects of single‐ and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity

Minderman

Gillis

Daly

et al. 2017

Animal Conservation

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14While the effects of wind farms on bats are widely studied, effects of small wind turbines 15 (SWTs, here <25m hub height) remain understudied. SWTs are installed in a wider range of 16 habitats compared to wind farms and their effect on wildlife can therefore be different. While 17 single SWTs can adversely affect bat activity in their immediate vicinity, they are often installed 18 in clusters, and to date no data are available on whether installation of more than one turbine 19 increases the likelihood of adverse effects on bats. 20Here, we test whether (1) SWT installations affect the activity of two species of bat (the common 21pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and soprano pipistrelle P. pygmaeus) on a landscape scale 22(here defined as up to 500m from SWTs) and (2) such an effect is stronger when multiple (2-4) 23SWTs are installed. We show that, after accounting for potentially confounding effects (e.g. 24 variation in habitat and weather), (1) mean P. pipistrellus activity is lower at 0-100m compared 25 to 200-500m from SWTs, and (2) the effect on P. pygmaeus activity tends to be similar and 26 stronger in multiple SWT sites, although evidence for the latter is limited. 27We conclude that in some cases, adverse effects of SWTs on bat activity may be measurable 28 over longer spatial scales (within 100m) than previously thought. However, combined with 29 earlier findings, it is likely that the bulk of such effects operate within relative close proximity of 30 SWTs (<25m). Moreover, although these effects may be species-specific, with e.g. P. pygmaeus 31 potentially more strongly affected by multiple SWT sites, this requires further data. These 32 findings are highly relevant to decision-making aimed at minimizing any adverse effects of wind 33 turbines, specifically single-vs. multiple SWT developments, on wildlife. 34 35

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape‐scale effects of single‐ and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity

Minderman

Gillis

Daly

et al. 2017

Animal Conservation

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“…; Zwart et al. ). Large‐scale installations can result in habitat loss and degradation, displacement of wildlife, and direct mortality of birds and bats (Kuvlesky et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of development of wind energy and associated changes in land use on bird densities in upland areas

Fernández‐Bellon

Wilson

Irwin

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

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Wind energy development is the most recent of many pressures on upland bird communities and their habitats. Studies of birds in relation to wind energy development have focused on effects of direct mortality, but the importance of indirect effects (e.g., displacement, habitat loss) on avian community diversity and stability is increasingly being recognized. We used a control-impact study in combination with a gradient design to assess the effects of wind farms on upland bird densities and on bird species grouped by habitat association (forest and open-habitat species). We conducted 506 point count surveys at 12 wind-farm and 12 control sites in Ireland during 2 breeding seasons (2012 and 2013). Total bird densities were lower at wind farms than at control sites, and the greatest differences occurred close to turbines. Densities of forest species were significantly lower within 100 m of turbines than at greater distances, and this difference was mediated by habitat modifications associated with wind-farm development. In particular, reductions in forest cover adjacent to turbines was linked to the observed decrease in densities of forest species. Open-habitat species' densities were lower at wind farms but were not related to distance from turbines and were negatively related to size of the wind farm. This suggests that, for these species, wind-farm effects may occur at a landscape scale.Our findings indicate that the scale and intensity of the displacement effects of wind farms on upland birds depends on bird species' habitat associations and that the observed effects are mediated by changes in land use associated with wind-farm construction. This highlights the importance of construction effects and siting of turbines, tracks, and other infrastructure in understanding the impacts of wind farms on biodiversity. Efectos del Desarrollo de la Energía Eólica y los Cambios Asociados al Uso de Suelo sobre las Densidades de Aves en Tierras AltasResumen: El desarrollo de la energía eólica es la más reciente de muchas presiones ejercidas sobre las comunidades de aves de tierras altas y sus hábitats. Los estudios sobre aves en relación con el desarrollo de la energía eólica se han enfocado en los efectos de la mortalidad directa, pero la importancia de los efectos indirectos (p. ej.: desplazamiento, pérdida de hábitat) sobre la diversidad y estabilidad de las comunidades aviares cada vez se reconoce más. Usamos un estudio de control-impacto combinado con un diseño de gradiente para evaluar los efectos de los campos eólicos sobre las densidades de aves de tierras altas y sobre las especies de aves agrupadas por asociación de hábitat (especies de bosque y de hábitat abierto). Realizamos 506 censos de conteo por puntos en 12 sitios de campos eólicos y 12 sitios control en Irlanda durante dos temporadas de reproducción (2012 y 2013). Las densidades de aves totales fueron más bajas en los campos eólicos que en los sitios control, con las diferencias más importantes ocurriendo cerca de las turbinas. Las densidades de las especies...

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“…In the European Union, there are legislated guidelines for WPP construction (Zwart et al, 2016) that are intended to ensure appropriate siting of WWPs in areas that minimize adverse impacts on wildlife (Directive 2011/92/ EU, 2012). Canada (Kingsley, Whittam, 2005) has similar guidelines to those Europe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind power development in Eastern Kazakhstan threatens migration of eagles

Karyakin¹,

Nikolenko²,

Shnayder³

et al. 2021

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On the basis of data obtained from ARGOS/GPS and GPS/GSM tracking of 34 eagles (4 Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) from Central KZ, 1 Steppe Eagle from Southern Ural region, 22 Steppe Eagles, 5 Eastern Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) from the ASR and 2 Greater Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga) from the from the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion), we have defined the main flyways, terms, and other parameters of migration of eagles through Eastern Kazakhstan. We have outlined the borders of the migration corridor and estimate the number of migrants passing through it. The study highlights the importance of the Karatau ridge for eagles from the vast territories of Russia and Kazakhstan. But we are also concerned about the development of wind farms with horizontal-axis wind turbines that expose ultimate danger for raptors in the Karatau migration corridor. One of them already exists – the Zhanatas Wind-Power Station. Here we calculated the possible negative impact on the eagle population from the existing and projected wind farms of the Karatau ridge and give our recommendations for neutralizing the damage from the development of the electric power industry in Karatau.

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Conflicts Between Birds and On-Shore Wind Farms

Cited by 8 publications

References 43 publications

Landscape‐scale effects of single‐ and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity

Landscape‐scale effects of single‐ and multiple small wind turbines on bat activity

Effects of development of wind energy and associated changes in land use on bird densities in upland areas

Wind power development in Eastern Kazakhstan threatens migration of eagles

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