Wind turbines and bats: assessment of conflict between wildlife conservation and green energy production

根据政府的能源战略，到2020年，英国15%的能源将来自可再生能源。这对于减少英国对化石燃料的依赖和达到国际二氧化碳排放目标是必要的。该申请调查了绿色能源生产与野生动物保护之间的冲突，并将制定指导和缓解策略。它属于NERC学生优先领域2和6（但有公共部门合作伙伴）。风能是英国可再生能源发电的主要来源（英国是欧盟最适合安装风力涡轮机的国家之一）。在过去的十年里，风力发电场出现了大规模的扩张：现在有268个正在运行的“风力发电场”，还有类似数量的“风力发电场”获得了规划许可。然而，在欧洲大陆和北美，人们认识到涡轮机会对蝙蝠和鸟类造成直接死亡和行为紊乱，从而造成生态破坏。PI已经获得资金，进行英国风力发电场对蝙蝠影响的首次重大研究。目前的应用程序通过研究另一种尚未研究的风能系统，中型单涡轮装置（50-300kW； 25-50m高），扩大了这项工作。实际上没有证据表明这些设施对野生动物的潜在影响。然而，在过去两年里，由于技术进步和补贴计划的改变，建筑数量大幅增加。今年晚些时候，它们将成为“许可开发项目”，这将减少对规划的审查。然而，特别是在农村地区，它们可能会对当地蝙蝠种群产生不利影响，因为：1 .虽然正式调查才刚刚开始，但有合格的生态学家在英国3个大型“风力发电场”中发现夜莺和女高音pipistrelle死亡的轶事报告；其他国家的死亡率是确定的。2。中型涡轮机的高度较低，因此可能会带来更大的风险，因为大多数物种都在50米以下飞行。单个中型涡轮机通常位于农业用地上，通常靠近蝙蝠通勤或觅食的高价值特征。由PI在英格兰西南部收集的试点数据已经在涡轮机目标地点记录了受附件II保护的物种。中型涡轮机被设计成即使在低风速下也能高效工作，而此时蝙蝠很可能在飞行。通过国家和欧盟法律，所有蝙蝠都受到保护，免受导致死亡的行动和可能影响当地种群的干扰。一些在英格兰西南部和威尔士有据点的物种也受到2010年栖息地和物种保护条例附件II的保护。风力涡轮机造成的死亡和干扰的不确定性损害了法定自然保护组织（snco）、当地规划师和专业生态学家履行其职责的能力，而这项研究将解决这一不足。将编制关于涡轮机的缓解和选址以及关于施工前和施工后监测协议的有效指导。这可能允许涡轮机的继续建设，否则可能会被阻止。方法本项目将使用DEFRA/CCW/SNH/Renewable uk资助的商业风电场和蝙蝠项目开发的方法来评估死亡率和蝙蝠活动水平。此外，我们将利用声学监测来调查在风力涡轮机和控制地点蝙蝠的行为是否存在差异。确定中型风力涡轮机是否会导致蝙蝠死亡效应大小的估计，其置信区间表明不确定程度风力涡轮机对蝙蝠觅食和通勤的影响的估计澄清有关风力涡轮机和蝙蝠的法律立场的贡献缓解指导和施工前/施工后监测协议

By 2020, 15% of the UK's energy is to be generated from renewable sources, according to the government's Energy Strategy. This is necessary to reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels, and to meet international targets for CO2 emissions. This application investigates conflicts between green energy production and wildlife conservation, and will develop guidance and mitigation strategies. It falls within NERC studentship priority areas 2 and 6 (but has public sector partners). Wind energy is the major contributor to renewable electricity production in the UK (one of the most suitable locations in the EU for wind turbines). A massive expansion has occurred over the past decade: there are now 268 operational 'wind farms', and a similar number have planning consent. Yet it is recognised in Continental Europe and N. America that turbines can cause ecological damage to bats and birds by both direct mortality and behavioural disruption. The PI is already funded to conduct the first major study of the effects of British wind farms on bats. The present application widens this work by investigating another type of unstudied wind-energy system, mid-sized, single-turbine installations (50-300kW; 25-50m high). There is virtually no evidence available about the potential effects of these installations on wildlife. Yet construction has increased dramatically over the last two years, reflecting technological advances and alterations to subsidy schemes. Later this year they are will become 'Permitted Developments' which will require less planning scrutiny. However, particularly in rural areas, they may adversely affect local bat populations because: i. While formal surveys are only just beginning, there are anecdotal reports by qualified ecologists of noctule and soprano pipistrelle deaths at 3 large 'wind farms' in suboptimal bat habitat in the UK; and mortality in other countries is established. ii. Mid-sized turbines have lower heights and could therefore present a greater risk, since most species fly below 50m. iii. Single mid-sized turbines are commonly sited on agricultural land, often close to features of high value for bat commuting or foraging. Pilot data collected by the PI in South West England has already recorded protected Annexe II species at target sites for turbines. iv. Mid-sized turbines are designed to work efficiently even at low wind-speeds, when bats are likely to be flying. Impact Through national and EU law, all bats are protected from actions leading to mortality and from disturbance likely to affect local populations. Several species with strongholds in South-West England and Wales are also protected under Annexe II of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Uncertainty about the mortality and disturbance caused by wind turbines compromises the ability of Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations (SNCOs), local planners and professional ecologists to discharge their responsibilities and this study will address that deficiency. Effective guidance on mitigation and siting of turbines, and on pre-and post-construction monitoring protocols will be produced. This may allow continued construction of turbines which could otherwise be prevented. Methods This project will use methods developed in the DEFRA/CCW/SNH/Renewable UK-funded project on commercial wind farms and bats to evaluate mortality rates and bat activity levels. In addition, we will investigate whether there are behavioural differences in bats at wind turbine and control sites using acoustic monitoring. Deliverables Determination of whether mid-sized wind turbines cause bat mortality Estimation of effect size, with confidence intervals indicating level of uncertainty Estimation of effect of wind turbines on bat foraging and commuting Contributions to clarify legal position regarding wind turbines and bats Guidance on mitigation and and protocols for pre-/post-construction monitoring