Abstract
VC International Council for the Exploration of the Sea 2016. James J. Waggitt was funded by a NERC Case studentship supported by OpenHydro Ltd and Marine Scotland Science (NE/J500148/1). Shore-based surveys were funded by a NERC (NE/J004340/1) and a Scottish National Heritage (SNH) grant. FVCOM was funded by a NERC grant (NE/J004316/1). The bathymetry data used in hydrodynamic models (HI 1122 Sanday Sound to Westray Firth) was collected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as part of the UK Civil Hydrography Programme. We wish to thank Christina Bristow, Matthew Finn and Jennifer Norris at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC); Ian Davies at Marine Scotland Science; Gail Davoren, Shaun Fraser, Pauline Goulet, Alex Robbins and Helen Wade for invaluable discussions; Thomas Cornulier, Alex Douglas, James Grecian and Samantha Patrick for their help with statistical analysis; and Jenny Campbell and the Cockram family for assistance during fieldwork.
Highlights
Tidal stream turbine installations will place novel anthropogenic structures into habitats characterized by mean horizontal current speeds exceeding 2 msÀ1 (Fraenkel, 2006)
This study investigates how temporally predictable hydrodynamic conditions influenced the density of foraging black guillemots and European shags immediately around the potential location of a tidal stream turbine installation in Orkney, United Kingdom (
The FOW is an active tidal stream turbine test site managed by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), and is characterized by numerous locations which are suitable for devices
Summary
Tidal stream turbine installations will place novel anthropogenic structures into habitats characterized by mean horizontal current speeds exceeding 2 msÀ1 (Fraenkel, 2006) These installations could have several impacts upon pursuit-diving seabirds exploiting these tidal stream environments (Furness et al, 2012), and these impacts could span many spatial and temporal scales (Scott et al, 2014). Installations will change near-field hydrodynamics through the removal of tidal stream energy and the alteration of current regimes, with possible consequences on foraging opportunities and efficiency (Shields et al, 2011) Addressing these concerns requires a detailed understanding of a species foraging behaviours in the areas immediately around the potential locations of devices (Waggitt and Scott, 2014). Few studies have investigated a species foraging behaviours within very specific areas (< 1 km2) (Heithaus, 2005; Watanuki et al, 2008), and none have focussed on areas of high horizontal current speeds
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