High-Resolution Modeling of Uplift Landscapes can Inform Micrositing of Wind Turbines for Soaring Raptors

Frank Hanssen,Roel May,Torgeir Nygård

doi:10.1007/s00267-020-01318-0

Frank Hanssen, Roel May + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01318-0

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Abstract

Collision risk of soaring birds is partly associated with updrafts to which they are attracted. To identify the risk-enhancing landscape features, a micrositing tool was developed to model orographic and thermal updraft velocities from high-resolution remote sensing data. The tool was applied to the island of Hitra, and validated using GPS-tracked white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla). Resource selection functions predicted that eagles preferred ridges with high orographic uplift, especially at flight altitudes within the rotor-swept zone (40–110 m). Flight activity was negatively associated with the widely distributed areas with high thermal uplift at lower flight altitudes (<110 m). Both the existing wind-power plant and planned extension are placed at locations rendering maximum orographic updraft velocities around the minimum sink rate for white-tailed eagles (0.75 m/s) but slightly higher thermal updraft velocities. The tool can contribute to improve micrositing of wind turbines to reduce the environmental impacts, especially for soaring raptors.

Highlights

While the development of wind energy contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this may simultaneously negatively affect wildlife, birds and bats
As the modeling depends on good quality remote imagery (Li et al 2013; Tomlinson et al 2011) at a fine spatial resolution it does not allow for a fine temporal resolution, capturing within-day variance in wind speed or radiation
While the highest levels of thermal uplift were widely found in flat terrain but temporally limited to calm and sunny days, the more commonly occurring orographic uplift was spatially limited to steep slopes and ridges

Summary

Introduction

While the development of wind energy contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this may simultaneously negatively affect wildlife, birds and bats. There is a particular concern about birds colliding with wind turbines (Langston 2013; Marques et al 2014; Schuster et al 2015). Soaring bird species, such as raptors, are known to be vulnerable for collision with wind turbines (Ferrer et al 2012; Wang et al 2015). Collision risk of soaring raptors is associated with species-specific flight behavior, topographical features, and seasonal abundances; the exact mechanisms of collision susceptibility remain unclear (Barrios and Rodriguez 2004; Dahl et al 2013; de Lucas et al 2008).

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