Raptor Electrocutions and Power Line Collisions

Eccleston, Duncan; Harness, Richard E.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73745-4_12

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…We used the georeferenced database on the distribution of poles at the country level (updated through November 2018) available from the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL). We selected structures from medium‐voltage power lines (1–44 kV, n = 30 665 490 poles) as these are the most likely to cause bird electrocutions, because the distance between the electrical components (wire‐wire and pole‐wire) matches the wingspan of several bird species (APLIC, 2006; Lehman, Kennedy & Savidge, 2007; Eccleston & Harness, 2018). Throughout the text, we apply the term ‘pole’ to designate all the structures used to support medium‐voltage power lines in Brazil, regardless of their material or specific configuration, as there is no information available that allows us to explicitly distinguish between the different structures (such as wood poles or pylons).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, generating sound information at large scales without performing extensive fieldwork would be highly useful for identifying those areas where to develop site‐based management strategies (D’Amico et al ., 2019). This can be particularly important in countries where electrocution events are poorly documented and where power line grids are expanding rapidly (Eccleston & Harness, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk of bird electrocution in power lines: a framework for prioritizing species and areas for conservation and impact mitigation

Biasotto

Moreira

Bencke

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Electrocution on power lines is an important human‐related cause of bird mortality and an important conservation issue worldwide. Besides impacts on bird populations, electrocutions cause power outages, resulting in damage to power line network integrity. However, there is a general lack of knowledge on the risk of bird electrocution, especially in developing countries. Generating information over large scales without resorting to local mortality data can be useful for the development of regional management strategies, particularly in countries where electrocution is poorly documented. Here, we developed a framework to model the risk of bird electrocution as an interaction between the species‐specific exposure to power lines (pole density within a species distribution range) and susceptibility (morphological and behavioral traits associated with electrocution hazards). We applied this framework to Brazil, identifying 283 species that face a risk of electrocution, of which 38 were classified as higher risk, mostly raptors (76%). The Pantanal (a large wetland biome) concentrates the greatest cumulative susceptibility due to the high number of species vulnerable to electrocution (i.e. large species using power lines for perching or nesting), while the Atlantic Forest region has a higher risk for electrocution, due to the spatial overlap between the presence of vulnerable species and high exposure to power lines. Furthermore, our study identified spatial patterns of bird electrocution, highlighting priority areas for electrocution susceptibility and electrocution risk to be further investigated, and where measures to mitigate bird electrocutions should be applied on new and existing power lines. Our framework allows a preliminary assessment aimed at identifying areas of higher risk of electrocution, to highlight species vulnerable to this threat and to improve power line routing. This approach can be replicated to other understudied areas of the world where the same information is available.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of bird electrocution in power lines: a framework for prioritizing species and areas for conservation and impact mitigation

Biasotto

Moreira

Bencke

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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“…To quantify the extent of electrocution and collision mortality we therefore conducted surveys under power distribution lines that were expected to pose a high risk due to their location near permanent water or food sources or roosting sites. We surveyed low-to medium-voltage distribution lines that were supported by single poles with a cross-bar and conducting wires propped up above the support structure (Figure 2), as these designs are the most dangerous for electrocution (Lehman et al 2007, Eccleston andHarness 2018). This design is also used by the National Electrification Programme in Ethiopia (Figure 2), and similar lines connecting up to 1 million new households to electricity are anticipated to be built every year until 2025 (Government of Ethiopia 2019).…”

Section: Surveys To Find Bird Carcassesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pursuit of ‘sustainable’ development may contribute to the vulture crisis in East Africa

Oppel

Ruffo

Bakari

et al. 2021

Bird Conservation International

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Summary The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim to improve livelihoods and maintain functioning ecosystems, and include the provision of electricity and the prevention of desertification. We show that the pursuit of those two goals can lead to developments that put critical ecosystem functions at risk. Vultures are scavengers that provide sanitary ecosystem services, but their populations across Africa are declining due to poisoning, electrocution, and collision with power infrastructure. The extent to which the pursuit of sustainable development threatens vultures in Africa is unclear. We surveyed 227 km of powerlines in Ethiopia, which revealed bird mortality (0.15 vulture carcasses / km) at power infrastructure constructed under a National Electrification Programme to provide universal electricity access by 2025. We also interviewed 190 local pastoralists in 10 areas about livelihood challenges, which revealed that the bush Prosopis juliflora, which was originally introduced to prevent desertification but then invaded north-eastern Ethiopia, increased livestock predation and motivated the use of poison to control predators. Actions to increase universal access to electricity and to reduce desertification therefore have undesired side-effects that increase vulture mortality through electrocution and poisoning. To avoid negatively affecting local vulture populations and the services they provide, we urge governments to use infrastructure designs that minimise the risk of electrocution and assist pastoralists to protect their livestock and reduce the risk of poisoning to vultures and other wildlife.

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“…Avian collision with electric lines is an ongoing conservation concern for many species worldwide (Bernardino et al 2018). Raptor species are generally thought to have a lower risk of line collisions compared to other bird families because of their sharp eyesight and flight agility (Bernardino et al 2018, Eccleston andHarness 2018). Raptor behavior during foraging flights, however, can increase collision risk if their gaze is focused downward searching for prey and they fail to recognize electric lines in their flight path (Martin 2012).…”

Section: [Traducción Del Equipo Editorial]mentioning

confidence: 99%