Beyond BACI: Offsetting carcass numbers with flight intensity to improve risk assessments of bird collisions with power lines

Mercker, Moritz; Jödicke, Klaus

doi:10.1002/ece3.8291

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…However, for a true comparison, bias correction experiments (see above) have to be undertaken in both sections, which might have, e.g., different habitats, scavenger populations and bustard abundances (Bernardino et al 2019). Additionally, bustard crossing rates (which can be used as a proxy of local abundance) should be determined for the marked and unmarked sections and then used to adjust/calibrate the respective estimated mortality rates (Mercker and Jödicke 2021).…”

Section: Evaluating Mitigation Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of powerlines on bustards: how best to mitigate, how best to monitor?

Silva

Marques

Bernardino

et al. 2022

Bird Conservation International

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Summary Bustards comprise a highly threatened family of birds and, being relatively fast, heavy fliers with very limited frontal visual fields, are particularly susceptible to mortality at powerlines. These infrastructures can also displace them from immediately adjacent habitat and act as barriers, fragmenting their ranges. With geographically ever wider energy transmission and distribution grids, the powerline threat to bustards is constantly growing. Reviewing the published and unpublished literature up to January 2021, we found 2,774 records of bustard collision with powerlines, involving 14 species. Some studies associate powerline collisions with population declines. To avoid mortalities, the most effective solution is to bury the lines; otherwise they should be either routed away from bustard-frequented areas, or made redundant by local energy generation. When possible, new lines should run parallel to existing structures and wires should preferably be as low and thick as possible, with minimal conductor obstruction of vertical airspace, although it should be noted that these measures require additional testing. A review of studies finds limited evidence that ‘bird flight diverters’ (BFDs; devices fitted to wires to induce evasive action) achieve significant reductions in mortality for some bustard species. Nevertheless, dynamic BFDs are preferable to static ones as they are thought to perform more effectively. Rigorous evaluation of powerline mortalities, and effectiveness of mitigation measures, need systematic carcass surveys and bias corrections. Whenever feasible, assessments of displacement and barrier effects should be undertaken. Following best practice guidelines proposed with this review paper to monitor impacts and mitigation could help build a reliable body of evidence on best ways to prevent bustard mortality at powerlines. Research should focus on validating mitigation measures and quantifying, particularly for threatened bustards, the population effects of powerline grids at the national scale, to account for cumulative impacts on bustards and establish an equitable basis for compensation measures.

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Section: Evaluating Mitigation Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%