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Publication Number: CEC-500-2008-076
Abstract:
This roadmap summarizes the status of research on the impacts of wind energy development on birds and bats and recommends studies to improve methods for assessing and reducing these impacts in California. Priority short-term research topics include studies to assess effects of variations in diurnal bird survey techniques on fatality estimates; behavioral differences between species/species groups that affect collision risk; population-level effects of wind energy development on California's birds and bats; effects of repowering on bird and bat fatalities; nocturnal survey techniques and correlates of collision risk; how variations in search area, frequency, scavenging trials, and fatality correction equations affect accuracy of carcass counts; effectiveness of auditory deterrents and operations modifications on bat fatalities; and effectiveness of buffer zones in reducing impacts to birds and bats. Long-term research goals include a meta-analysis of pre-permitting and operations fatality data to develop a range of fatality estimates for birds and bats for wind resource areas throughout California; creation of an interactive map/database that could show bird and bat migratory movements and ecologically important/sensitive habitats in relation to wind resources and land use; and assessing effectiveness of compensatory mitigation in offsetting impacts to birds and bats. Keywords: Wind turbines, wind energy development, bat fatality, bird fatality, avian collisions, research, carcass count, California
Author(s): Susan Sanders, Linda Spiegel Commission Division: Technology Systems Division - R&D, PIER (500)
Office/Program: PIER: Public Interest Energy Research
PIER Program Area: Avian-Energy Mitigation Program
Date Published: September 2008
Date On Line:
10/22/2008
Acrobat PDF File Size: 106 pages,
660 kilobytes
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