A Bird and Small Mammal BACI and IG Design Studies in a Wind Farm in Malpica (Spain)

Lucas, Manuela de; Janss, Guyonne F. E.; Ferrer, Miguel

doi:10.1007/s10531-004-0447-z

Cited by 43 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…These findings were similar for all species groups and therefore suggest that neither SWT proximity nor operation significantly affects bird activity at the fine scale studied. Studies of large wind turbines report varying effects of turbine presence or proximity on bird flight behaviour [12], [35], [36], suggesting a high degree of variability among sites and species [37]. Fewer studies have specifically examined the effect of turbine operation on bird activity, and seem to suggest mixed effects, even on the same species [10], [11], [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird and Bat Activity

et al. 2012

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The development of renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines forms a vital part of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Although large wind farms generate the majority of wind energy, the small wind turbine (SWT, units generating <50 kW) sector is growing rapidly. In spite of evidence of effects of large wind farms on birds and bats, effects of SWTs on wildlife have not been studied and are likely to be different due to their potential siting in a wider range of habitats. We present the first study to quantify the effects of SWTs on birds and bats. Using a field experiment, we show that bird activity is similar in two distance bands surrounding a sample of SWTs (between 6–18 m hub height) and is not affected by SWT operation at the fine scale studied. At shorter distances from operating turbines (0–5 m), bat activity (measured as the probability of a bat “pass” per hour) decreases from 84% (71–91%) to 28% (11–54%) as wind speed increases from 0 to 14 m/s. This effect is weaker at greater distances (20–25 m) from operating turbines (activity decreases from 80% (65–89%) to 59% (32–81%)), and absent when they are braked. We conclude that bats avoid operating SWTs but that this effect diminishes within 20 m. Such displacement effects may have important consequences especially in landscapes where suitable habitat is limiting. Planning guidance for SWTs is currently lacking. Based on our results we recommend that they are sited at least 20 m away from potentially valuable bat habitat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird and Bat Activity

et al. 2012

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“…In general, most research, shows that a negligible number of birds are disturbed by wind farms (de Lucas et al 2004(de Lucas et al , 2005Walker et al 2005;Madders and Whitfield 2006 and references therein). Only our results obtained for Passerines are in accordance with that assertion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, scientific literature on this issue is scarce. Several studies show that the negative impact of wind farms on bird populations is much less than other sources of collision (de Lucas et al 2004(de Lucas et al , 2005. According to Erickson et al (2001), the number of bird deaths due to collisions with turbines represent 0.01-0.02% of the total, which is far lower than impacts with other structures such as vehicles, buildings, glass windows, power lines or communication towers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the impact of wind farms on birds? A case study in southern Spain

Farfán¹,

Vargas

Duarte³

et al. 2009

Biodivers Conserv

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Wind farming is a relatively new form of obtaining energy that does not cause air pollution or other forms of environmental degradation associated with fossil fuel technologies. However, their use impacts on the environment, and the current rate at which they are being put into operation, combined with poor understanding of their medium-and long-term impact, is a cause of concern. Wind farms represent a new source of impact and disturbance for birds that adds to the long list of disturbance factors caused by human activity, such as power lines, radio and television towers, highways, glass windows, the practice of poisoning, illegal hunting and overexploitation. Due to the precarious situation of several bird species and their decline, any additional cause of mortality may be significant and should give rise to increased attention and research. The aim of the present work is to analyse the effect of the ''Sierra de Aguas'' wind farm on bird density and abundance, flight behaviour, and bird mortality. Mortality rates did not increase due to the presence of the wind turbines. The results suggest that the presence and operation of the wind turbines did not have a clearly negative effect on passerine birds present in the region where wind farm is located. However, raptors used the space around the wind farm with lower frequency than prior to its existence, which represented a displacement of the home range of these species.

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“…Most studies on the effects of wind energy have focused on avian and bat activity, habitat use and mortality (Kunz et al 2007; Pearce-Higgins et al 2012), whereas very little has been published on terrestrial, non-volant wildlife (Lovich and Ennen 2013). Terrestrial animals can be affected by wind power development in various ways: destruction and modification of habitat (habitat fragmentation and barriers to gene flow), noise effects, visual impacts, vibration and shadow flicker effects, electromagnetic field generation, macro- and micro-climate change, predator attraction, increase of fire risk, and increase of direct mortality on wind farm roads (de Lucas et al 2005; Santos et al 2010; Lovich and Ennen 2013). The amount of negative effects varies with wind energy projects depending on the type and size of the installation, location (whether it is situated in degraded or undisturbed habitat) and the life cycle stage of the installation (e.g., construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning) (Helldin et al 2012; Lovich and Ennen 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do terrestrial animals avoid areas close to turbines in functioning wind farms in agricultural landscapes?

Łopucki

Klich

Gielarek

2017

Environ Monit Assess

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Most studies on the effects of wind energy on animals have focused on avian and bat activity, habitat use, and mortality, whereas very few have been published on terrestrial, non-volant wildlife. In this paper, we studied the utilization of functioning wind farm areas by four terrestrial animals common to agricultural landscapes: European roe deer, European hare, red fox, and the common pheasant. Firstly, we expected that the studied animals do not avoid areas close to turbines and utilize the whole area of functioning wind farms with a frequency similar to the control areas. Secondly, we expected that there is no relation between the turbine proximity and the number of tracks of these animals. The study was conducted over two winter seasons using the snow-tracking method along 100 m linear transects. In total, 583 transects were recorded. Wind farm operations may affect terrestrial animals both in wind farm interiors and in a 700-m buffer zone around the edge of turbines. The reactions of animals were species specific. Herbivorous mammals (roe deer and European hare) avoided wind farm interiors and proximity to turbines. The common pheasant showed a positive reaction to wind turbine proximity. The red fox had the most neutral response to wind turbines. Although this species visited wind farm interiors less often than the control area, there was no relation between fox track density and turbine proximity. Greater weight should be given to the effects of wind farms on non-flying wildlife than at present. Investors and regulatory authorities should always consider the likely impacts of wind farms during environmental impact assessments and try to reduce these negative effects.

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A Bird and Small Mammal BACI and IG Design Studies in a Wind Farm in Malpica (Spain)

Cited by 43 publications

References 15 publications

Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird and Bat Activity

Experimental Evidence for the Effect of Small Wind Turbine Proximity and Operation on Bird and Bat Activity

What is the impact of wind farms on birds? A case study in southern Spain

Do terrestrial animals avoid areas close to turbines in functioning wind farms in agricultural landscapes?

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