Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area

Jain, Aaftab; Koford, Rolf R.; Hancock, Alan W.; Zenner, Guy G.

doi:10.1674/0003-0031-165.1.185

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Since this pivotal discovery, studies worldwide document that most bat fatalities occur during low-wind periods. In the USA, for example, Jain et al (2011) found that maximum wind speeds when bat collisions likely occurred ranged from 2.4 to 5.3 m/s. Korner-Nievergelt et al (2013) found that maximum collision rates of bats occurred at wind speeds between 3.5 and 5.7 m/s.…”

Section: Habitat Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Bats: A Global Perspective

Arnett

Baerwald

Mathews

et al. 2015

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

125

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Wind energy continues to be one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources under development, and while representing a clean energy source, it is not environmentally neutral. Large numbers of bats are being killed at utilityscale wind energy facilities worldwide, raising concern about cumulative impacts of wind energy development on bat populations. We discuss our current state of knowledge on patterns of bat fatalities at wind facilities, estimates of fatalities, mitigation efforts, and policy and conservation implications. Given the magnitude and extent of fatalities of bats worldwide, the conservation implications of understanding and mitigating bat fatalities at wind energy facilities are critically important and should be proactive and based on science rather than being reactive and arbitrary.

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Section: Habitat Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Bats: A Global Perspective

Arnett

Baerwald

Mathews

et al. 2015

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

125

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although the aforementioned facilities were situated on forested ridge‐tops in the eastern United States, most studies of bat mortality have been in agricultural landscapes (Arnett et al 2008). Studies in the mid‐western United States (e.g., Howe et al 2002, Johnson et al 2003, Jain et al 2011) recorded lower mortality rates compared with those in the eastern United States, but significant variation occurred (Arnett et al 2008). Despite regional differences in US studies, species composition generally was skewed toward lasiurine bats (migratory, tree bats; Griffin 1970) including hoary bat ( Lasiurus cinereus ), eastern red bat ( L. borealis ), and silver‐haired bat ( Lasionycteris noctivagans ; Arnett et al 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bat mortality at a wind‐energy facility in southeastern Wisconsin

Grodsky¹,

Jennelle²,

Drake³

et al. 2012

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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The wind-energy industry is rapidly developing worldwide as a viable renewable power option to offset high economic and environmental costs of fossil fuel consumption and nuclear power generation. Evidence suggests bats are more likely to be negatively affected by wind facilities than are birds. Studies have shown that significant bat mortality occurs at wind facilities, yet our understanding of the concomitant drivers of these events is limited. Our objectives were to assess the impact of a wind facility in southeastern Wisconsin, USA, on migratory and non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bats by 1) estimating mortality, 2) recording species composition of mortality cases, and 3) determining the correlative variables associated with bat mortality events. We estimated 4,454 total bats, 3,019 migratory and 912 non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bats were killed, respectively, over 277 search days during two spring and two autumn study periods, 2008-2010. We found bat mortality was strongly linked to migration. Approximately one-quarter of all bat mortality consisted of non-migratory big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and shortdistance migrant little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), which is higher than many previous studies, supported by similar studies in the Midwest, and of concern due to these species' susceptibility to white-nose syndrome. We determined weanling mice were suitable surrogates for bat carcasses in scavenger removal trials. We found temperature was positively related to bat mortality, which indicates a possible link with prey availability. We encourage standardization in search and statistical methods across studies and acknowledgment of migratory and non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bat mortality at wind facilities in agricultural landscapes. ß 2012 The Wildlife Society.

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“…Wind energy is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, but negative effects on bats have become evident (Kunz et al , Arnett et al , Arnett and Baerwald ). For example, wind facilities in Midwestern agricultural fields can kill an estimated 4.45–7.14 bats/turbine/year (Jain et al ), although other studies have produced higher averages (e.g., 15.7; Zimmerling and Francis ). It is difficult to estimate accurately all the bat fatalities across the continent because of differences in survey methods and a lack of representative sampling (Huso and Dalthorp ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Red bat fatality: Geographic extents through deuterium and niche models

et al. 2019

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Bat fatality at wind energy facilities is a conservation issue, but its effect on bat populations is difficult to estimate. We have little understanding of wind turbine effects on bat population persistence, in part because we have poor knowledge of bat migration pathways and hence the source populations for individual fatalities. We used deuterium ratio analysis combined with genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction and the web‐based isoscapes modeling, analysis, and prediction in a geographic information system environment as a novel approach. Our objectives were to explore the utility of these methods together and map the geographic extents of eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) specimens salvaged in 2008–2010 from a single, 92‐km2 wind energy facility in Illinois, USA. Results indicate that combining these methods can be successful and support their use with species where ranges may be less well defined. Because of the migratory nature of this species and the range of deuterium values of pixels in our isotope model, we predicted that 18% and 82% of the specimens would have isotope results inside and outside of the wind facility's isocline respectively. We concluded that 71.4% of the specimens had isotope signatures placing them outside the wind facility's isocline. It could be argued that the wide distribution of bat fatalities dilutes the overall effect of those fatalities on the bat species; however, if other facilities show a similar pattern, each facility could have cumulative and far reaching population‐level effects. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

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Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area

Cited by 19 publications

References 21 publications

Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Bats: A Global Perspective

Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Bats: A Global Perspective

Bat mortality at a wind‐energy facility in southeastern Wisconsin

Red bat fatality: Geographic extents through deuterium and niche models

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