Framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 276, P. 109795 - 109795

Published: Nov. 9, 2022

Offshore wind energy development (OWED) is rapidly expanding globally and has the potential to contribute significantly renewable portfolios. However, of infrastructure in marine environment presents risks wildlife. Marine birds particular have life history traits that amplify population impacts from displacement collision with offshore infrastructure. Here, we present a broadly applicable framework assess mitigate OWED on birds. We outline existing techniques quantify impact via monitoring modeling (e.g., risk models, viability analysis), robust mitigation avoid, minimize, or compensate for impacts. Our addresses within context multiple stressors across developments. also technological methodological approaches can improve estimation mitigation. highlight compensatory as tool be incorporated into regulatory frameworks cannot avoided minimized siting decisions alterations operation. intended globally-relevant approach assessing mitigating may adapted regions planned OWED.

Language: Английский

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A framework for improving treatment of uncertainty in offshore wind assessments for protected marine birds

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2023

Abstract Governments worldwide are setting ambitious targets for offshore renewable energy development (ORD). However, deployment is constrained by a lack of understanding the environmental consequences ORD, with impacts on protected birds forming key consenting challenge. Assessing ORD marine challenging, utilizing interlinked approaches to understand complex behavioural, energetic, and demographic processes. Consequently, there considerable uncertainty associated assessments birds, current methods failing quantify in scientifically robust, evidence-based manner. This leads high degree precaution confidence evidence used inform decisions. We review estimate ornithological UK, country at forefront ORD. identify areas which quantification could be improved through statistical modelling, data collection, or adaptation assessment process. develop framework end-to-end uncertainty, integrating estimates from individual stages Finally, we provide research recommendations better reduce lower future risk. These extend beyond UK improve impact other countries different legislative frameworks.

Language: Английский

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Interaction between small-scale fisheries and wintering seabirds in a Mediterranean Sea coastal area

Bird Conservation International, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Summary Bycatch, the incidental capture of non-target species in fishing gear, has been recognised as most significant global conservation threat affecting seabird species. Geographically, bycatch rates vary widely, depending on local efforts, environmental features, and community composition. Regional research is essential due to complexity accurately extrapolating general conclusions regarding impacts bycatch. Existing European predominantly focuses northern regions, leaving a knowledge gap Mediterranean Sea. This work presents findings wintering diving seabirds small-scale fisheries coastal area Adriatic Sea, based data collected between 2021 2023. Seabird distribution varied along depth profile. The bathymetric range 3 m 5 was exploited by fishermen. Bycatch confirmed study area, with five recorded, i.e. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis , Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Black-throated arctica Shag Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii Great Crested cristatus. Our results suggest that bathymetry likely plays strong influence occurrence. Incidental captures were not widespread but appeared concentrated shallowest depths <5 <2.5 identified particularly susceptible low associated effort majority events recorded. We estimate 46 108 birds incidentally captured during period. identifies key factors shaping areas vulnerability risk, proposing spatial–temporal mitigation framework within Natura 2000 sites highlighting value stakeholders’ engagement.

Language: Английский

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Winter locations of red‐throated divers from geolocation and feather isotope signatures

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

Abstract Migratory species have geographically separate distributions during their annual cycle, and these areas can vary between populations individuals. This lead to differential stress levels being experienced across a range. Gathering information on the used cycle of red‐throated divers (RTDs; Gavia stellata ) has become an increasingly pressing issue, as they are concern when considering effects disturbance from offshore wind farms associated ship traffic. Here, we use light‐based geolocator tags, deployed summer breeding season, determine non‐breeding winter location RTDs locations in Scotland, Finland, Iceland. We also δ 15 N 13 C isotope signatures, feather samples, link population‐level differences molt period signatures. found data that three different did not overlap distributions. Differences signatures suggested this spatial separation was evident molting period, geolocation were unavailable. populations, Iceland moved shortest distance grounds wintering grounds. In contrast, Finland furthest, with westward migration Baltic into southern North Sea. Overall, results suggest likely encounter anthropogenic activity where currently future planned developments. Icelandic Scottish birds less be affected, due few or no demonstrate separating isotopically is possible further work allocate individuals based solely samples.

Language: Английский

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What level of monitoring is enough to detect displacement effects of offshore wind farms?

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 105, P. 107449 - 107449

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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Temporal and spatial variability in availability bias has consequences for marine bird abundance estimates during the non-breeding season

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 14, 2024

Abstract To effectively monitor how marine ecosystems are being reshaped by anthropogenic pressures, we require understanding of species abundances and distributions. Due to their socio-economic ecological value, predatory often at the forefront survey efforts. However, data only valuable if they can reliably be converted into estimates underlying We consider at-sea surveys predators that inform impact assessments offshore windfarms. These subject a form detection bias called ‘availability bias’ whereby individuals which submerged below surface consequently ‘unavailable’ for detection. Although correction factors commonly used in these surveys, currently based on limited may not species-, time-, or area-specific. Here, use time-depth-recorder investigate variation bird availability bias. found proportion diving birds sea during daylight hours, therefore unavailable counted varied species, month, area. For three our focal wintering around northwest Europe (Atlantic puffin, common guillemot, razorbill) results were different comparable values previously correct bias, whereas no regularly fourth (red-throated diver). now present species- month-specific areas study populations non-breeding seasons: North Sea, north west coasts UK, Baltic Icelandic coastal waters. Synthesis applications: Variation hours spent lead differences factors, thereby impacting estimations abundances. encourage from area, month conducted provide more accurate abundance estimates. Using relevant will result increasingly distribution birds, with relevance range applications including planning windfarm developments, designation monitoring protected areas, environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Temporal and spatial variability in availability bias has consequences for marine bird abundance estimates during the non‐breeding season

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(4)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Abstract To effectively monitor how marine ecosystems are being reshaped by anthropogenic pressures, we require understanding of species abundances and distributions. Due to their socio‐economic ecological value, predatory often at the forefront survey efforts. However, data only valuable if they can reliably be converted into estimates underlying We consider at‐sea surveys predators that inform impact assessments offshore windfarms. These subject a form detection bias called ‘availability bias’ whereby individuals which submerged below surface consequently ‘unavailable’ for detection. Although correction factors commonly used in these surveys, currently based on limited may not species‐, time‐, or area‐specific. Here, use time‐depth‐recorder investigate variation bird availability bias. found proportion diving birds sea during daylight hours, therefore unavailable counted varied species, month, area. For three our focal wintering around northwest Europe (Atlantic puffin, common guillemot, razorbill), results were different comparable values previously correct bias, whereas no regularly fourth (red‐throated diver). now present species‐ month‐specific areas study populations non‐breeding seasons: North Sea, north west coasts UK, Baltic Icelandic coastal waters. Practical implication : Variation hours spent lead differences factors, thereby impacting estimations abundances. encourage from area, month conducted provide more accurate abundance estimates. Using relevant will result increasingly distribution birds, with relevance range applications including planning windfarm developments, designation monitoring protected areas, environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Linking Foraging Behaviour and Habitat Preferences During Moult Across Multiple Populations of Red‐Throated Diver

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Understanding the habitat use of individuals can facilitate methods to measure degree which populations will be affected by potential stressors. Such insights hard garner for marine species that are inaccessible during phases their annual cycles. Here, we quantify link between foraging and behaviour in an aquatic bird high conservation concern, red‐throated diver ( Gavia stellata ) across three breeding (Finland, Iceland Scotland) understudied moult period. Specifically, relationship feather isotope values (δ 13 C δ 15 N) diving behaviour, within populations, examining intra‐depth zone (IDZ) dives as a proxy benthic foraging. We found strong positive both higher N and, lesser extent, proportion IDZ dives. This was consistent all but baseline varied them, indicative populations' different moulting areas. Our results demonstrate divers continue generalist foragers after seasons, behavioural flexibility varies populations. Furthermore, due existence these relationships, reveal stable analysis standalone tool monitoring changes this ecologically significant species. The approach may also apply other known multiple strategies (e.g., benthically pelagically), with implications future efforts.

Language: Английский

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Proof of concept evidence that stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur may identify individual kittiwakes breeding in different colonies

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(13)

Published: May 3, 2024

Rationale Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotopes in feathers grown by seabirds while breeding reflect the local isoscape diet vicinity of colony, so may make it possible to discriminate individual birds from different colonies. Methods Black‐legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla inner primary two colonies about 350 km apart North Sea were used test whether δ 13 C, 15 N 34 S differed between individuals Feather tips cut caught at nests compared with moulted (grown 1 year earlier) found on ground. Results Isotopic compositions showed no overlap or newly‐grown sampled adult kittiwakes. There was some feathers, but discriminant analysis allowed >90% be assigned their colony. In five six comparisons, mean isotopic same new not for one Conclusions This study has demonstrated first time that kittiwakes can allow accurate identification colony within Sea. Further research is required determine if this method applied greater spatial resolution a larger number

Language: Английский

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