Epibenthic Assessment of a Renewable Tidal Energy Site

Sheehan, Emma V.; Gall, Sarah; Cousens, Sophie L.; Attrill, Martin J.

doi:10.1155/2013/906180

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The species observed in the present study were consistent with those typically recorded for high current flow environments from other comparable benthic studies around the UK [ 11 , 33 , 34 ]. The most common species recorded in the Strangford Narrows were the soft coral dead-men’s fingers Alcyonium digitatum , the sponge Halichondria panacea , and various members from the Bryozoa, Cnidaria and Porifera Phyla most noticeably Alcyonidium spp., Obelia spp., Sagartia spp., and representatives from the spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Habitats in these environments have been described as rich in terms of biodiversity and production [ 11 , 32 ]. However in comparison to low energy flow environments, here defined as < 1 m/s, few studies have been carried out that quantitatively describe the natural variability of the benthic communities in these high energy flow environments [ 15 , 33 , 34 ] and none directly related to absolute velocities. This is perhaps unsurprising given that marine soft-sediment habitats, associated with low velocity environments, are the most common benthic habitats in the marine environment covering approximately 70% of the planet [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…( Table 4 ). The communities correspond to very tide-swept faunal communities in the EUNIS classification [ 11 , 33 , 34 ]. The present investigation provides valuable insight into the diversity that is present in the Strangford Lough Narrows, but which may also be expected in other comparable areas where resource consent is being sought for tidal energy investment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do Changes in Current Flow as a Result of Arrays of Tidal Turbines Have an Effect on Benthic Communities?

et al. 2016

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Arrays of tidal energy converters have the potential to provide clean renewable energy for future generations. Benthic communities may, however, be affected by changes in current speeds resulting from arrays of tidal converters located in areas characterised by strong currents. Current speed, together with bottom type and depth, strongly influence benthic community distributions; however the interaction of these factors in controlling benthic dynamics in high energy environments is poorly understood. The Strangford Lough Narrows, the location of SeaGen, the world’s first single full-scale, grid-compliant tidal energy extractor, is characterised by spatially heterogenous high current flows. A hydrodynamic model was used to select a range of benthic community study sites that had median flow velocities between 1.5–2.4 m/s in a depth range of 25–30 m. 25 sites were sampled for macrobenthic community structure using drop down video survey to test the sensitivity of the distribution of benthic communities to changes in the flow field. A diverse range of species were recorded which were consistent with those for high current flow environments and corresponding to very tide-swept faunal communities in the EUNIS classification. However, over the velocity range investigated, no changes in benthic communities were observed. This suggested that the high physical disturbance associated with the high current flows in the Strangford Narrows reflected the opportunistic nature of the benthic species present with individuals being continuously and randomly affected by turbulent forces and physical damage. It is concluded that during operation, the removal of energy by marine tidal energy arrays in the far-field is unlikely to have a significant effect on benthic communities in high flow environments. The results are of major significance to developers and regulators in the tidal energy industry when considering the environmental impacts for site licences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do Changes in Current Flow as a Result of Arrays of Tidal Turbines Have an Effect on Benthic Communities?

et al. 2016

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“…Age has been shown to explain considerable variation in community structure in artificial habitats (Knott et al 2004, Sammarco et al 2004, Perkol-Finkel et al 2005, Pinn et al 2005b, but see Wendt et al 1989. Sheehan et al (2013) recently highlighted the importance of appropriate monitoring of artificial structures over long timescales to effectively assess their ecological impact. At the Wave Hub site in the south of England, they observed recovery of opportunistic and fast-growing reef species on the cable rock armouring route within 2 years of construction.…”

Section: The Influence Of Structure Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean Sprawl: Challenges and Opportunities for Biodiversity Management In A Changing World

Firth¹,

Knights²,

Bridger³

et al. 2016

Oceanography and Marine Biology - An Annual Review

142

191

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with the proliferation of coastal defences. This is an adaptation option (sensu IPCC 2014) that has been adopted worldwide to protect the growing coastal population and its property, transport infrastructure, industry and commerce, as well as valuable amenity and recreational areas (for review, see chapters in Burcharth et al. 2007, Zanuttigh et al. 2014). In this review, we discuss current evidence and thinking on biodiversity and ecosystem responses to global drivers of change, with a focus on recent rapid climate change and its interaction with regional and local impacts due to 'ocean sprawl'-the proliferation of artificial structures in the sea. We consider how efforts to combat climate change, such as mitigation via offshore renewables ('green' energies to reduce CO 2 emissions), and adaptation via sea defences are leading to a proliferation of artificial structures, resulting in changes in the proportion of hard versus soft coastal habitats, the distribution of species, assemblage composition, and community structure. We also discuss the role of coastal development, including ports and other transport infrastructure as well as offshore structures (e.g., oil and gas platforms), in altering coastal and marine ecosystem structure and functioning. Finally, we undertake a critical review of the current 'state of the art' in the emerging field of 'green engineering', which combines environmentally conscious attitudes, values, and principles with science, technology, and engineering practice, all directed towards improving local and global environmental quality. Our scope is the global coastline extending vertically to the uppermost extent of tidal influence, with particular emphasis on open coasts and offshore structures that have seen the most research. This is in contrast to the freshwater tidal reaches of estuaries, which have received little attention (but see Francis & Hoggart 2008, 2009, Hoggart et al. 2012). Many of the case studies and examples are drawn from temperate systems in developed countries, reflecting the experience of the authors and the distribution of published research. Two themes permeate our review: firstly, how ecosystem services are at risk from modification of the coast by artificial structures; secondly, the interaction between the provision of new 'hard' substratum as a societal adaptation response, resulting in altered habitat connectivity and changes in the distribution of species and composition of assemblages. We conclude by identifying current knowledge gaps and future research needs. Burgeoning coastal human populations The diversity of coastal habitats includes rocky shores, sandy and muddy beaches, barriers, spits and sand dunes, estuaries and lagoons, deltas, wetlands, and coral reefs. These individually and K27072_C004.indd 190 6/15/16 12:57 PM 191 OCEAN SPRAWL collectively provide a disproportionately greater number of ecosystem services (see Millennium Ecosystem Assessment [MEA] 2005 for a discussion of provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services) to human ...

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“…This can be achieved through active acoustic surveys, turbine-mounted cameras, bird-borne cameras or GPS coupled with TDR and (preferably) accelerometery, as well as integrated instrumentation platforms (Appendix 1, Table 2, Figure 3). The analysis of turbine-mounted camera footage, as trialled with wave energy devices (Jackson 2014;Bicknell et al 2019), is a priority as evasion and/or collision events are most readily identifiable with this method. Quantifying the prevalence of conveyor belt foraging near turbines also merited as the prevalence of this behaviour will influence detection probability.…”

Section: Collision Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the effects of tidal stream marine renewable energy on seabirds: A conceptual framework

Isaksson

Masden

Williamson

et al. 2020

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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We are at a crossroads where many nation states, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), are committing to increased electricity production from "green energy", of which tidal stream marine renewable energy is one such resource. However, many questions remain regarding the effects of tidal energy devices on marine wildlife, including seabirds, of which the UK has internationally important numbers. Guidelines are lacking on how best to use both wellestablished and novel survey methods to assess seabird use of tidal flow areas, leading to a data-rich but information poor (DRIP) situation. This review provides a conceptual framework for assessing the effects of tidal stream energy devices on seabirds, summarises current knowledge and highlights knowledge gaps. Finally, recommendations are given for how best to pursue knowledge on this topic. An overview of the tidal stream marine renewable energy seascape and seabirdsThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called for a 'massive shift' toward renewable energy in light of determining unequivocal climate warming as a result of anthropogenic activity (Edenhofer et al., 2011; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2014). Consequently, Commented [NI1]: R2: "to best pursue knowledge on this thematic" Commented [NI2R1]: I feel 'thematic' Is a bit vague so put topic instead but open to suggestions. targets for electricity production from renewable sources have been set by governing bodies: '

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Epibenthic Assessment of a Renewable Tidal Energy Site

Cited by 10 publications

References 23 publications

Do Changes in Current Flow as a Result of Arrays of Tidal Turbines Have an Effect on Benthic Communities?

Do Changes in Current Flow as a Result of Arrays of Tidal Turbines Have an Effect on Benthic Communities?

Ocean Sprawl: Challenges and Opportunities for Biodiversity Management In A Changing World

Assessing the effects of tidal stream marine renewable energy on seabirds: A conceptual framework

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