Documents
Authors:
Todd Katzner, National Aviary
David Brandes, Lafayette College
Michael Lanzone, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Powdermill Avian Research Center
Trish Miller, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Powdermill Avian Research Center
Dan Ombalski, State College Bird Club
Overview
Wind is the USA's most rapidly growing renewable energy source, and is an important component of strategies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels (USGAO, 2005). In the central Appalachians, higher elevation plateaus and ridge-tops are being targeted for development of wind energy. It has been estimated that Pennsylvania alone has 5400 MW of developable wind power capacity, which corresponds to several thousand turbines (PEDA, 2006). Some of these areas, and in particular the ridges of Pennsylvania, are well-known for their concentrations of migrating raptors, including several species of special concern.
There is little current available information as to how wind energy projects in the central Appalachians area will affect bird populations (NRC, 2007). However, it is known that diurnal raptors are generally at higher risk for collision with turbines than are many other avian species (NWCC, 2004). Furthermore, potential cumulative effects on birds are broader than just those from direct collisions. In particular, increased energetic costs or migration, avoidance of preferred migration pathways, and change or loss of migration habitat are of special concern. In spite of the variety of potentially significant environmental impacts on birds and other wildlife, the impact of large numbers of turbines along Appalachian ridge-tops is not well studied. These environmental impacts need to be investigated and quantified at both the site and regional scales so that well-informed decisions can be made about where bird-friendly wind energy facilities can be constructed.
| < prev | next > |