A flexible framework for species-based regional cumulative effects assessments to support offshore wind energy planning and management

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 114, С. 107912 - 107912

Опубликована: Март 18, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Framework for assessing species vulnerability whilst on migration to a spatially explicit anthropogenic pressure

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 307, С. 111118 - 111118

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2025

Язык: Английский

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A framework for studying the effects of offshore wind energy development on birds and bats in the Eastern United States

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Май 3, 2024

Offshore wind energy development (OWED), while a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions, has potential negative effects to wildlife that should be examined inform decision making and adaptive management as the industry expands. We present conceptual framework guide long-term study of birds bats from OWED. This includes focus on exposure vulnerability determinants risk. For are exposed OWED, there three main interest may impact survival productivity: 1) collision mortality, 2) behavioral responses, including avoidance, displacement, attraction, 3) habitat-mediated prey populations. If these OWED cause changes in and/or breeding success (e.g., fitness), they have population-level consequences, population size structure. Understanding influence ecological drivers effect parameters can help disentangle impacts other stressors. use this theoretical summarize existing relevant knowledge identify current priority research questions (n=22) eastern United States, where large-scale is primarily planning early construction phase. also recommendations design further prioritization topics.

Язык: Английский

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Behavioural responses of Sandwich terns following the construction of offshore wind farms

Marine Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 171(2)

Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2024

Язык: Английский

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A crowded ocean: The need for demographic and movement data in seabird conservation

Ocean & Coastal Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 244, С. 106833 - 106833

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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A framework to unlock marine bird energetics

Journal of Experimental Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 226(24)

Опубликована: Ноя. 22, 2023

Energetics can provide novel insights into the roles of animals, but employing an energetics approach has traditionally required extensive empirical physiological data on focal species, something that be challenging for those inhabit marine environments. There is therefore a demand framework through which to estimate energy expenditure from readily available data. We present energetic costs associated with important time- and energy-intensive behaviours across nine families bird (including seabirds, ducks, divers grebes) ecological guilds. demonstrate worked example, calculating year-round great auk, Pinguinus impennis, under three migration scenarios, thereby illustrating capacity this make predictions data-deficient species. comprehensive model power novel, quantitative influence birds within their ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Mapping seabird vulnerability to offshore wind farms in Norwegian waters

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Март 13, 2024

Introduction Offshore wind energy development (OWED) has been identified as a major contributor to the aspired growth in Norwegian renewable production. Spatially explicit vulnerability assessments are necessary select sites that minimize harm biodiversity, including seabird populations. Distributional data of seabirds remote areas scarce, and identify vulnerable areas, species, seasons it is combine sets knowledge from different sources. Methods In this study, we combined tracking data, dedicated coastal at-sea surveys, presence-only citizen science databases develop habitat suitability maps for 55 species four throughout exclusive economic zone; total 1 million km 2 Northeast Atlantic. The were with species-specific indicators yield offshore farms (OWFs). resulting map product can be used relative prospected OWED respect collision displacement. More detailed done by splitting spatial into seasonal components. Results discussion Associated higher diversity near coast, cumulative indicator showed strong declining gradient coast waters while differences between ocean negligible. Although present represents best currently available knowledge, associated complex uncertainties related known unknown sampling biases. should therefore cautiously, they updated regularly more become available, recommend environmental impact based on birds potentially affected populations population viability analyses conducted ultimately selected OWED.

Язык: Английский

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A review on the interactions between engineering and marine life: key information for engineering professionals

Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 10(2), С. 449 - 459

Опубликована: Апрель 5, 2024

Abstract Marine life both affects and is affected by coastal, marine offshore engineering. As engineering projects have become larger, more frequent complex, hence has the number type of interactions with life. Engineers are looking for information about these so they can better mitigate against any harmful effects to enhance positive impacts. This review aims fill this purpose, giving professional engineers a broad understanding impacts that cause suggesting some “best practice” mitigation strategies. The considers between from three perspectives specific example given in each case. First, potential measures discussed context windfarms. Secondly, issue noise affecting species different ways. Lastly, solutions employed “Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Restoration Project” exampled. Environmental Impact Assessments used managers must reference up-to-date detailed data biological surveys local vulnerable activities be identified. include acoustic mitigation, scalable affordable. highlights need liaise closely scientists biologists ensure appropriate do not unexpected or indirect consequences

Язык: Английский

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Autonomous thermal tracking reveals spatiotemporal patterns of seabird activity relevant to interactions with floating offshore wind facilities

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2024

Planning is underway for placement of infrastructure needed to begin offshore wind (OSW) energy generation along the West Coast United States and elsewhere in Pacific Ocean. In contrast primarily nearshore windfarms currently North Atlantic, seabird communities inhabiting Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) include significant populations species that fly by dynamic soaring, a behavior dependent on which flight height increases steeply with speed. Therefore, more precise detailed assessment their 3D airspace use better understand potential collision risks OSW turbines may present these seabirds. Toward this end, novel technology called ThermalTracker-3D (TT3D), uses thermal imaging stereo vision, was developed render high-resolution (on average within ±5 m) tracks related The deployed wind-profiling LiDAR buoy Humboldt WEA, located 34 57 km off California’s coast. During at-sea deployment between 24 May 13 August 2021, TT3D successfully tracked birds moving 10 500 m from device, around clock, all weather conditions; total 1407 detections corresponding trajectories were recorded. Mean altitudes ranged 6-295 above sea level (asl). Considering degree overlap anticipated rotor swept zones (RSZ), extend 25-260 asl, 79% detected (per 3 airspace) moved below RSZ, 21% at heights overlapping another 0.04% occurred exceeding RSZ. provided valuable insight into space use, especially make them vulnerable during various environmental conditions (e.g., darkness, strong winds). Observations made will be useful filling critical knowledge gaps estimating avoidance seabirds facilities elsewhere. Future research focus enhancing TT3D’s identification capabilities lowest taxon through validation studies artificial intelligence, further contributing conservation efforts associated OSW.

Язык: Английский

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Incorporating density‐dependent regulation into impact assessments for seabirds

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 61(10), С. 2510 - 2524

Опубликована: Авг. 15, 2024

Abstract Many industries are required to perform population viability analysis (PVA) during the consenting process for new developments establish potential impacts on protected populations. However, these assessments rarely account density‐dependent regulation of demographic rates. Excluding from PVA‐based impact is often assumed provide a maximum estimate and therefore offer precautionary approach assessment. there also concern that this practice may unnecessarily impede development important industries, such as offshore renewable energy. In study, we assess breeding success in 31 populations seabird. We then quantify strength form using eight different formulations. Finally, use PVA examine how each formulation influences recreation observed dynamics (i.e. model validation), well predicted absolute relative response an extrinsic threat projection). found evidence both negative ( n = 3) positive 5) seabird success. exhibiting regulation, excluding assessment allowed uncontrolled growth, outcomes became biologically implausible. By contrast, provided appropriate reconstruction dynamics, but decline was underestimated some find multiple formulations density dependence comparably at detection, validation projection stages analysis. tentatively recommend log‐linear or Weibull distribution describe balance accuracy with caution. show metrics cannot necessarily be used overcome misspecification by assuming independence positively regulated Synthesis applications : suggest when performing will prevent unrealistic, unconstrained growth ensure meaningful experiencing regulation. It maintain crucial estimating more vulnerable These conclusions have immediate international application within processes marine industries.

Язык: Английский

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