The research within the NIEWHOL project aims to better understand the effects on populations of bird species vulnerable to mortality and habitat loss caused by wind turbines and high-voltage power lines. The results of the research contribute to preventing and compensating for mortality of vulnerable species, which are species known to be relatively sensitive to the additional mortality and disturbance caused by wind turbines. The following questions are answered:
- What is the impact of additional mortality due to collisions and/or habitat loss from wind farms on a selection of most vulnerable species, and at what locations are these problems most prevalent?
- How can population impacts be avoided through mitigation and compensation?
The study provides insight into the magnitude of negative impacts and the possibilities for compensatory measures, i.e., the measures with positive outcomes. The research enables the development of effective multi-species mitigation and compensation plans in a reasoned manner for those species for which the impact of wind farms becomes or is a bottleneck for the sustainable state of conservation. Furthermore, the study brings cumulative effects into focus, in conjunction with other pressures. All this information ultimately also serves the choices for the most optimal locations.
Status
Ongoing
Partners
Sovon, Vogelbescherming, Radboud University, Vogeltrekstation