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“While our work does not suggest that wind energy development will drive these birds to extinction or even put them at risk of extinction, it may help the wind industry and wildlife managers direct their attention to the birds most in need when it comes to preventing and mitigating collisions with turbine blades,” said Jay Diffendorfer, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who led the study.
Of the raptors assessed, the potential for population-level impacts is greatest for the barn owl, brown hawk, golden eagle, American kestrel, and red-tailed hawk. None of these species are currently endangered or threatened, but the barn owl, brown hawk, golden eagle, and American kestrel have begun to decline for reasons other than wind energy development.
In contrast, the burrowing owl, Cooper’s hawk, great horned owl, northern harrier, osprey and turkey vulture are less likely to be impacted by current and forecast wind energy development. The risk level for the other three species, red-footed falcon, prairie falcon and Swainson’s hawk, could not be determined.
Using existing wind turbine collision fatality data, the scientists projected the population structure of each raptor species and future fatalities from current national generating capacity of about 100 gigawatts to about 240 gigawatts.
The 14 raptor species selected for the study had sufficient population information for modeling. Raptors live longer than most birds, spend more time as adults, and have fewer offspring, making these populations more dependent on the long-term survival of adults and more vulnerable to wind turbines.
In 2020, wind power accounted for about 3% of U.S. energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. Energy Information AdministrationMore and larger wind turbines are being added every year. In addition, more supporting infrastructure, including roads and maintenance facilities, is required. As efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy production grow, wind energy development and its demand are likely to continue to grow.
“As wind turbines increase, the need to mitigate the impacts of energy production on wild species will be greater,” Diefendorfer observed. “This paper is the first attempt to prioritize the species where mitigation could have the greatest impact.”
To expand wind energy use in the United States while minimizing impacts on wildlife, resource managers need to better understand the effects of wildlife mortality at wind facilities on species populations. The U.S. Geological Survey has a broad, integrated research program focused on energy-environmental issues, including the impacts of wind energy on wildlife. This study is part of a broader effort by the USGS to better understand the effects of collision mortality on bird and bat populations.
The article, “ Population and potential biological removal models identify raptor species sensitive to current and future wind energy ,” was published in Ecosphere. You can access here.
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