Collision hotspots for migrating birds revealed in new study

In Europe and North Africa, where wind turbine or power line construction is likely to increase the risk of death for birds, a new research led by the University of East Anglia shows.

The study used location data from 65 bird tracking studies to understand where they fly more frequently at danger height. The team was able to identify the areas where the birds would be more sensitive to wind turbine or power line development.

The vulnerability maps show that the collision hotspots are concentrated within important migration routes along coastlines and near breeding locations. The Western Mediterranean coast of France, Southern Spain and the Moroccan Coast are included.

The data collected related to 1,454 birds from 27 species. The European eagle owl, whooper swan, Iberian imperial eagle and white stork are all at risk of collision.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) were among the organizations involved in the study.

In high sensitivity areas, new wind turbine and transmission power lines should be minimized, and any developments which do occur will likely need to be accompanied by measures to reduce the risk to birds.

It was thought to be the first time that gps tracking data from multiple species had been used in this way.

We know from previous research that there are many more suitable locations to build wind turbines than we need in order to meet our clean energy targets, said Mr Gauld.

We can help limit the impact of developments on wildlife while still achieving our climate targets if we can do a better job of assessing risks to biodiversity, such as collision risk for birds, into the planning process at an early stage.

Our results will help achieve this and provide better outcomes for people and wildlife.

The collaborative study including research from 51 researchers and 15 countries is a great example of where working together can answer some of the big questions around the threats that African-Eurasian migrants face.

The use of high precisionGPS devices allow us to study birds in huge detail. Birds do not respect country boundaries and power lines and wind turbine impact migratory birds across their annual cycle.

The researchers combined the sensitivity data with the locations of existing wind farms and power lines to identify areas where birds are at high risk of colliding with power lines.

Our maps can help target measures to reduce risks where previously built developments are already causing problems. The areas where energy infrastructure is already providing a source of collision risk for these birds are highlighted. Additional measures to reduce collision risk are implemented in the vulnerability hotspots.

Marking power lines to make them more visible and implementing systems to allow shutdown of wind turbine during periods of high bird traffic are some of the measures that can be taken.

Transition to zero carbon energy is essential to avoid runaway climate change according to the authors. Europe is projected to have four times the wind energy capacity of the Middle East and North Africa by the year 2050.

Between 2010 and 2050, there will be a fivefold increase in transmission capacity required due to the investment in new power lines.

Expansion of renewable energy infrastructure poses a challenge to wildlife because of the risks of collision and electrocution.

As more data from tracking studies becomes available, the researchers hope the study provides a method which other researchers and practitioners can use.

The Journal of Applied Ecology has a publication titled "Hotspots in the Grid: Avian Sensitivity and Vulnerability to Collision Risk from Energy Infrastructure Interactions in Europe and North Africa".

More information: Hotspots in the Grid: Avian Sensitivity and Vulnerability to Collision Risk from Energy Infrastructure Interactions in Europe and North Africa, Journal of Applied Ecology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14160 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology Citation: Collision hotspots for migrating birds revealed in new study (2022, April 12) retrieved 12 April 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-04-collision-hotspots-migrating-birds-revealed.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.