A Spatially Explicit Model to Predict the Relative Risk of Golden Eagle Electrocutions in the Northwestern Plains, USA

Bedrosian, Geoffrey; Carlisle, Jason D.; Woodbridge, Brian; Dunk, Jeffrey R.; Wallace, Zach P.; Dwyer, James F.; Harness, Richard E.; Mojica, Elizabeth K.; Williams, Gary E.; Jones, Tracy

doi:10.3356/0892-1016-54.2.110

Cited by 21 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Additionally, this approach would require some a priori indication of the eagle activity present at a site. One option would be to use national occupancy or abundance datasets like the Cornell occupancy model for bald eagles (Fink et al 2010) or the Service's spatially explicit golden eagle exposure models (Bedrosian et al 2020) as a representation of eagle activity rate. These models are already being considered by the Service as a proximate measure of eagle activity as part of a proposed low risk eagle take permitting alternative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unpacking the eagle collision risk model: practical guidance for wind energy

Evans

Sporer

Erickson

et al. 2020

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ABSTRACTClimate change is one of the greatest threats facing biodiversity, and solutions to reduce carbon emissions are needed to conserve species. Renewable energies are a prominent means to achieve this goal, but the potential for direct harm to wildlife has raised concerns as these technologies proliferate. To protect biodiversity, approaches that facilitate renewable energy development while protecting species are needed. In the United States wind energy developers must obtain a permit for any Bald or Golden eagles that might be killed at a facility. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates fatalities using a Bayesian modeling framework, which combines pre-construction eagle surveys with prior information. The ways in which prior information is incorporated and how pre-construction monitoring affects model outcomes can be unclear to regulated entities and other stakeholders, creating uncertainty in the permitting process and retarding both the build-out of renewable energy and conservation measures for eagles. We conducted a simulation study quantifying the differences in predicted eagle fatalities obtained by incorporating prior information and using only site-specific survey data across a range of scenarios, evaluating the impact of survey effort on the magnitude of this effect. We identified predictable relationships between survey effort, eagle activity, facility size and discrepancies between estimates. We also translated these patterns into real-world financial costs, illustrating the interaction between pre-construction surveys, fatality estimates, and compensatory mitigation obligations in determining permit timing and expense.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unpacking the eagle collision risk model: practical guidance for wind energy

Evans

Sporer

Erickson

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Dwyer et al (2020a) for example provides a map of distribution power pole density throughout much of the western USA. Although previous maps of pole density were already available for Colorado and Wyoming (Dwyer et al 2016), and for other portions of the western USA (Dwyer et al 2017), this new work expands the range of pole density mapping in North America, makes that mapping more accessible, and serves as a foundational component of Bedrosian et al (2020). Understanding pole density is also useful in understanding implications of Dwyer et al's (2020b) study of Golden Eagles that perch on power poles.…”

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confidence: 93%

“…The intent of the Conservation Letter is to provide a scientific review of raptor interactions with power lines and serve as a go-to publication for the perspective of the Raptor Research Foundation. The hope is that the combination of novel study areas described (Dixon et al 2020, Heck and Schwartz 2020, Kemper et al 2020, Sarasola et al 2020, novel data (Bedrosian et al 2020, Dwyer et al 2020a, 2020b, 2020c, Smith et al 2020, Tincher et al 2020, and a Raptor Research Foundation Conservation Letter (Slater et al 2020) will enable readers of this special issue to identify areas where additional work is needed to mitigate negative interactions between raptors and electric systems. The special issue is missing recent European perspectives.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…One example of how the research described in this special issue can be applied to conservation is illustrated by Bedrosian et al (2020). Bedrosian et al (2020) combined maps of power pole density with maps of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) habitat and data on Golden Eagle electrocutions to create a predictive model of Golden Eagle electrocutions risk in northeastern Wyoming. The model is being used by a local electric utility to help determine which power poles should be prioritized for retrofitting (modifying to reduce electrocution risk).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Raptor Interactions with Electrical Systems: Progress and Knowledge Gaps

Dwyer

2020

Journal of Raptor Research

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“…Electrocutions in western North America include approximately 500 Golden Eagle fatalities annually (95% CI: 124-1494; US Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2016). These electrocutions occur widely across the species' range in North America from Canada (Kemper et al 2013), through the USA (Harness 2004, Dwyer 2006, Dwyer et al 2014, Bedrosian et al 2020, and into Mexico (Cartron et al 2000(Cartron et al , 2005. Of these electrocutions, approximately 20% involve adults, 27% involve subadults, and 53% involve juveniles (Mojica et al 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%