Purpose: Models for quantifying impacts on biodiversity from renewable energy technologies are missing within life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). We aim to provide an overview of the effects of wind energy on birds and bats, with a focus on quantitative methods. Furthermore, we will investigate and provide the necessary background for how these can in future be integrated into new developments of LCIA models. Methods: We reviewed available literature summarizing the effects of wind energy developments on birds and bats. We provide an overview over available quantitative assessment methods that have been employed outside of the LCIA framework to model the different impacts of wind energy developments on wildlife. Combining the acquired knowledge on impact pathways and associated quantitative methods, we propose possibilities for future approaches for a wind energy impact assessment methodology for LCIA. Results and discussion: Wind energy production has impacts on terrestrial biodiversity through three main pathways: collision, disturbance, and habitat alterations. Birds and bats are throughout the literature considered the most affected taxonomic groups, with different responses to the before-mentioned impact pathways. Outside of the LCIA framework, current quantitative impact assessment prediction models include collision risk models, species distribution models, individual-based models and population modelling approaches. Developed indices allow scaling of species-specific vulnerability to mortality, disturbance and/or habitat alterations. Conclusion: Although insight into the causes behind collision risk, disturbance and habitat alterations on bats and birds is still limited, the current knowledge base enables the development of a robust assessment tool. Modelling the impacts of habitat alterations, disturbance and collisions within an LCIA framework is most appropriate using species distribution models as those enable the estimation of species' occurrences across a region. Although local scale developments may be more readily feasible, further up-scaling to global coverage is recommended to allow comparison across regions and technologies, and to assess cumulative impacts.

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