Power lines and impacts on biodiversity: A systematic review

Biasotto, Larissa Donida; Kindel, Andreas

doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2018.04.010

Cited by 68 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 97 publications

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“…Worldwide, energy systems are transforming towards low-carbon and renewable-based systems. The increasingly decentralized supply structure raises many research questions regarding structure, dimension and impact of the electricity transmission and distribution network [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Spatial grid data on overhead power lines, but also underground cables, are essential for these research areas [11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Distribution of Overhead Power Lines and Underground Cables in Germany in 2016

Eichhorn

Thylmann

Peters

et al. 2018

Data

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In the context of transformative energy policy frameworks, such as the German “Energiewende”, state and federal agencies, regulators, and country planners need reliable data on the energy system infrastructure to make substantiated decisions about line routing and extension. The decision-making processes are accompanied by interdisciplinary research efforts in the areas of energy system planning and modelling, economic viability, and environmental impact, e.g., visual amenity or potential impacts on species. Proved data on the spatial distribution of the electricity transmission and distribution network can inform these efforts, in particular when combined with key technological parameters, like installed capacity, total size, and required space. Without these data, adequate assessments of potential impacts, e.g., the collision of birds with overhead lines, are not possible. However, no such comprehensive dataset exists for Germany. The dataset produced in this paper is based on open-source data using OpenStreetMap (OSM). It covers the spatial distribution of overhead power lines and underground cables of Germany, combined with the attributes needed for adequate environmental impact assessment of overhead lines, such as voltage levels, route length, and circuit lengths. Furthermore, the dataset is validated by different publicly available statistics provided by the German Federal Grid Agency and official spatial data of the Federal Office of Cartography and Geodesy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Distribution of Overhead Power Lines and Underground Cables in Germany in 2016

Eichhorn

Thylmann

Peters

et al. 2018

Data

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“…7). Lower abundance in powerline verges than away from powerlines was however observed for some forestinterior specialist species [48], suggesting that the large opening performed in intact forests for powerline installation may deeply modify species composition through the simultaneous negative impact on forest-interior specialist species but the creation of new habitat for species that prefer open areas [4].…”

Section: Powerline and Railway Verges May Constitute A Suitable Habitmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We evaluated vertebrate response to six LTI types: highways, non-highway roads, waterways, pipelines, powerlines, railways. We discriminated between highways from other roads because road width, verge width and disturbances (traffic, noise, light, (4)…”

Section: Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Linear transportation infrastructures (LTIs) have led to habitat loss and degradation, fragmentation and barrier effects, light and noise disturbance, chemical pollution and direct mortality (e.g. road kill, electrocution) [3][4][5][6][7][8]. In particular, the splitting of natural habitats and ecosystems into smaller and more isolated patches (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Can linear transportation infrastructure verges constitute a habitat and/or a corridor for vertebrates in temperate ecosystems? A systematic review

et al. 2020

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Background: Linear transportation infrastructures (roads, railways, oil and gas pipelines, powerlines and waterways) generate well documented fragmenting effects on species habitats. However, the potential of verges of linear transportation infrastructures (road and railway embankments, strips of grass under power lines or above buried pipelines, or waterway banks) as habitat or corridor for biodiversity, remains controversial. In a context of constant loss of natural habitats, the opportunities of anthropogenic areas for compensating the loss of biodiversity they generated have to be considered. This paper is the first synthesis of evidence addressing this topic for vertebrates (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles) in temperate ecosystems. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature survey using two online publication databases, three search engines, specialist websites, and by sending a call for literature to subject experts. We successively screened the articles for relevance on titles, abstracts and full texts using criteria detailed in an a priori protocol. We then used six specific questions to categorize the retained studies and to critically appraise them. These questions encompassed the potential of verges as habitats and corridors for vertebrates, and the effects of landscape and management on these potentialities. We critically appraised all studies to assess their risk of bias and created a database of the studies with low and medium risk of bias. We synthesized results for each specific question in narrative syntheses. Finally, studies that met meta-analysis requirements were used for quantitative syntheses. Results: Our initial searches identified 83,565 documents. After critical appraisal, we retained 119 documents that reported 128 studies. Most studies were conducted in Europe (49%) and in the United States of America (22%), and were about mammals (61%) and birds (20%). Results from the narrative synthesis and meta-analyses converged and revealed that the potential of linear transportation infrastructures verges to constitute a habitat for vertebrate species varies according to the infrastructure and the biological group considered. Especially, highway verges may be a refuge for small mammals but seems detrimental to birds. The potential also varied depending on the landscape considered, with urbanisation being related to lower biodiversity hosted by verges. We found a wide variety of verge

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“…A reduction in mammal and bird population densities has been found with increasing proximity to infrastructure (Benítez-López et al 2010). While there are common elements, the types of impacts vary with the different types of infrastructure such as railroads (Carpenter 1994), roads (Trombulak and Frissell 2000) and power lines (Biasotto and Kindel 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do supplemental perches influence electrocution risk for diurnal raptors?

Sánchez

Sanchez

Oria³

et al. 2020

Avian Res

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Background: Power lines are amongst the main causes of mortality for birds globally. Electrocution drives the population dynamics of several threatened species of raptors, at local and global scales. Among the many solutions that have been tested to minimize this threat are supplemental perches; however, their efficiency has rarely been assessed. Methods: We designed 43 transects in 4 districts in mainland Portugal to gather data from birds perching on pylons with or without supplemental perches. From 2015 to 2018, transects were surveyed by car at least once. We analyzed the factors driving the use of these supplemental perches, and we analyzed if there were differences in the perceived risk (calculated from measurements and not from field surveys) depending on whether the perching was on pylons with or without supplemental perches. Results: We recorded 548 perches of 14 species. Weather conditions seemed to play a role in birds' choice of pylons with supplemental perches versus pylons without supplemental perches. Models also indicated a strong influence of observational conditions. The use of models showed us an important specific effect in the selection of supplemental perches where available: there are some species with a greater tendency to perch on supplemental perches, even when they use both pylons with and without supplemental perches. For most of the analyzed species and species groups, perceived risk was higher in pylons without supplemental perches compared to pylons with supplemental perches, but there were differences between species. Conclusions: Supplemental perches may be a useful and efficient tool for mitigating raptor electrocution. However, there are many influential factors affecting their success, and their effectiveness with different species groups is not homogeneous. Some studies show higher electrocution rates for certain species and devices and thus, their efficacy must be validated. We propose a two-step validation process, first in controlled conditions and then in the field. A common protocol should be established to enable comparisons between studies.

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Power lines and impacts on biodiversity: A systematic review

Cited by 68 publications

References 97 publications

Spatial Distribution of Overhead Power Lines and Underground Cables in Germany in 2016

Spatial Distribution of Overhead Power Lines and Underground Cables in Germany in 2016

Can linear transportation infrastructure verges constitute a habitat and/or a corridor for vertebrates in temperate ecosystems? A systematic review

Do supplemental perches influence electrocution risk for diurnal raptors?

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