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A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE IMPACTS OF OPERATIONAL WIND TURBINES ON SMALL BIRDS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Halmstad University, School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability.
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

Wind turbines, a vital component of renewable energy, pose a significant threat to bird populationsdue to collisions and habitat disruption. This comprehensive review synthesizes existing literature onthe negative impacts of operational wind turbines on small birds, focusing on collision rates, habitatloss and displacement, noise, and behavioral disturbances. It also explores various mitigationstrategies, including site selection, turbine design modifications, operational adjustments, andmonitoring programs.This systematic review is organized into thematic sections examining the effectsof disturbance-induced displacement, including barrier and noise impacts. For example, studies haveshown that Dupont's Lark occurrence and abundance are adversely affected by population segregation,while positively influenced by distance to wind farms. Key findings in this systematic review indicatethat small bird species, such as small passerines, are particularly vulnerable to operational windturbines, with mortality rates varying significantly across wind farms based on factors like turbinedesign, location, and bird species. Small passerines, including sparrows, finches, and warblers, canexperience significant mortality rates due to collisions, despite their smaller size making them lessdetectable by bird detection systems. Wind farm construction can lead to habitat loss andfragmentation, affecting nesting sites and foraging areas for passerines. Collisions with turbine bladescan occur during low-level flight or foraging near wind farms, while the presence of operational windturbines can disrupt normal behavior, leading to increased stress and reduced reproductive success.Habitat loss and displacement resulting from wind turbine installation can further impact small birdpopulations. To overcome these limitations, this systematic review proposes a suite of mitigationmeasures. Site selection is critical, avoiding areas with high bird activity or sensitive habitats. Turbinedesign innovations, such as curved blade tips and bird detection systems, can reduce collision risks.Operational adjustments, including curtailing turbine operations during peak bird activity periods andimplementing bird-friendly lighting, can minimize impacts. Monitoring programs are essential forevaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures and informing future strategies. These findingsemphasize the importance of implementing these measures to reduce the negative effects of windturbines on small bird populations. By implementing a combination of these strategies, the negativeeffects of wind turbines on birds can be substantially reduced, ensuring that renewable energydevelopment align with bird conservation goals. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 58
Keywords [en]
Mitigation, displacement, habitat loss, turbine noise, avoidance rate
National Category
Natural Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-54535OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-54535DiVA, id: diva2:1894182
Subject / course
Environmental Science
Educational program
Master's Programme in Applied Environmental Science
Presentation
2024-05-22, S3060, Box 823 SE-301 18, HALMSTAD, 13:53 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2024-09-11 Created: 2024-09-02 Last updated: 2024-09-11Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
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