The Experts below are selected from a list of 48297 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Toni Laaksonen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Assessing space use by pre-breeding white-tailed eagles in the context of Wind-Energy Development in Finland
Landscape and Urban Planning, 2018Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Asko Ijäs, Jon E. Brommer, Pertti Saurola, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:Abstract The expansion of Wind Energy over large areas may be accompanied by major conflicts with birds, including birds of prey. Hence, it is desirable that the space use of species known to be vulnerable to Wind Energy be assessed in light of current and future Developments. Here, we report on the large-scale dispersal movements of pre-breeding white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Finland, where a currently modest Wind-Energy capacity is expected to increase in the near future. We studied white-tailed eagle space use with a particular focus on the potential for annual power production (GWh) at specific locations, as estimated by the Finnish Wind Atlas. Also, we aimed to detect a potential human-wildlife conflict by assessing white-tailed eagle space use against the spatial distribution of existing and recently proposed Wind farms. We found that, despite visiting a large proportion of the country, the eagles stayed primarily within coastal areas and islands, restricted to where human infrastructure was present only at very small amounts. Because of the distribution of Wind resources, such areas were found to contain considerable potential for power production. The eagles visited most of the areas targeted for Wind-Energy Development. However, these areas did not coincide with a higher-than-average eagle relocation frequency, suggesting that the existing and recently proposed Wind farms do not represent an elevated threat to dispersing eagles. Caution should nevertheless be taken against interpreting that co-occurrence poses no threat at any given site, as site selection is paramount to avoid conflicts with avian conservation.
-
Post-fledging movements of white-tailed eagles: Conservation implications for Wind-Energy Development
Ambio, 2016Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Alexandre Villers, Asko Ijäs, Otso Ovaskainen, Sari Repka, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:The presence of poorly sited Wind farms raises concerns for wildlife, including birds of prey. Therefore, there is a need to extend the knowledge of the potential human–wildlife conflicts associated with Wind Energy. Here, we report on the movements and habitat use of post-fledging satellite-tagged white-tailed eagles in Finland, where Wind-Energy Development is expected to increase in the near future. In particular, we examine the probability of a fledgling approaching a hypothetical turbine that is placed at different distances from the nest. We found that this probability is high at short distances but considerably decreases with increasing distances to the nest. A utilisation–availability analysis showed that the coast was the preferred habitat. We argue that avoiding construction between active nests and the shoreline, as well as adopting the currently 2-km buffer zone for turbine deployment, can avoid or minimise potential impacts on post-fledging white-tailed eagles.
Fabio Balotari-chiebao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Assessing space use by pre-breeding white-tailed eagles in the context of Wind-Energy Development in Finland
Landscape and Urban Planning, 2018Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Asko Ijäs, Jon E. Brommer, Pertti Saurola, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:Abstract The expansion of Wind Energy over large areas may be accompanied by major conflicts with birds, including birds of prey. Hence, it is desirable that the space use of species known to be vulnerable to Wind Energy be assessed in light of current and future Developments. Here, we report on the large-scale dispersal movements of pre-breeding white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Finland, where a currently modest Wind-Energy capacity is expected to increase in the near future. We studied white-tailed eagle space use with a particular focus on the potential for annual power production (GWh) at specific locations, as estimated by the Finnish Wind Atlas. Also, we aimed to detect a potential human-wildlife conflict by assessing white-tailed eagle space use against the spatial distribution of existing and recently proposed Wind farms. We found that, despite visiting a large proportion of the country, the eagles stayed primarily within coastal areas and islands, restricted to where human infrastructure was present only at very small amounts. Because of the distribution of Wind resources, such areas were found to contain considerable potential for power production. The eagles visited most of the areas targeted for Wind-Energy Development. However, these areas did not coincide with a higher-than-average eagle relocation frequency, suggesting that the existing and recently proposed Wind farms do not represent an elevated threat to dispersing eagles. Caution should nevertheless be taken against interpreting that co-occurrence poses no threat at any given site, as site selection is paramount to avoid conflicts with avian conservation.
-
Post-fledging movements of white-tailed eagles: Conservation implications for Wind-Energy Development
Ambio, 2016Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Alexandre Villers, Asko Ijäs, Otso Ovaskainen, Sari Repka, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:The presence of poorly sited Wind farms raises concerns for wildlife, including birds of prey. Therefore, there is a need to extend the knowledge of the potential human–wildlife conflicts associated with Wind Energy. Here, we report on the movements and habitat use of post-fledging satellite-tagged white-tailed eagles in Finland, where Wind-Energy Development is expected to increase in the near future. In particular, we examine the probability of a fledgling approaching a hypothetical turbine that is placed at different distances from the nest. We found that this probability is high at short distances but considerably decreases with increasing distances to the nest. A utilisation–availability analysis showed that the coast was the preferred habitat. We argue that avoiding construction between active nests and the shoreline, as well as adopting the currently 2-km buffer zone for turbine deployment, can avoid or minimise potential impacts on post-fledging white-tailed eagles.
Asko Ijäs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Assessing space use by pre-breeding white-tailed eagles in the context of Wind-Energy Development in Finland
Landscape and Urban Planning, 2018Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Asko Ijäs, Jon E. Brommer, Pertti Saurola, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:Abstract The expansion of Wind Energy over large areas may be accompanied by major conflicts with birds, including birds of prey. Hence, it is desirable that the space use of species known to be vulnerable to Wind Energy be assessed in light of current and future Developments. Here, we report on the large-scale dispersal movements of pre-breeding white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Finland, where a currently modest Wind-Energy capacity is expected to increase in the near future. We studied white-tailed eagle space use with a particular focus on the potential for annual power production (GWh) at specific locations, as estimated by the Finnish Wind Atlas. Also, we aimed to detect a potential human-wildlife conflict by assessing white-tailed eagle space use against the spatial distribution of existing and recently proposed Wind farms. We found that, despite visiting a large proportion of the country, the eagles stayed primarily within coastal areas and islands, restricted to where human infrastructure was present only at very small amounts. Because of the distribution of Wind resources, such areas were found to contain considerable potential for power production. The eagles visited most of the areas targeted for Wind-Energy Development. However, these areas did not coincide with a higher-than-average eagle relocation frequency, suggesting that the existing and recently proposed Wind farms do not represent an elevated threat to dispersing eagles. Caution should nevertheless be taken against interpreting that co-occurrence poses no threat at any given site, as site selection is paramount to avoid conflicts with avian conservation.
-
Post-fledging movements of white-tailed eagles: Conservation implications for Wind-Energy Development
Ambio, 2016Co-Authors: Fabio Balotari-chiebao, Alexandre Villers, Asko Ijäs, Otso Ovaskainen, Sari Repka, Toni LaaksonenAbstract:The presence of poorly sited Wind farms raises concerns for wildlife, including birds of prey. Therefore, there is a need to extend the knowledge of the potential human–wildlife conflicts associated with Wind Energy. Here, we report on the movements and habitat use of post-fledging satellite-tagged white-tailed eagles in Finland, where Wind-Energy Development is expected to increase in the near future. In particular, we examine the probability of a fledgling approaching a hypothetical turbine that is placed at different distances from the nest. We found that this probability is high at short distances but considerably decreases with increasing distances to the nest. A utilisation–availability analysis showed that the coast was the preferred habitat. We argue that avoiding construction between active nests and the shoreline, as well as adopting the currently 2-km buffer zone for turbine deployment, can avoid or minimise potential impacts on post-fledging white-tailed eagles.
Brett K Sandercock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Responses of male Greater Prairie-Chickens to Wind Energy Development
The Condor, 2015Co-Authors: V. L. Winder, A. J. Gregory, Lance B. Mcnew, Brett K SandercockAbstract:Renewable Energy resources have received increased attention because of impacts of fossil fuels on global climate change. In Kansas, USA, optimal sites for Wind Energy Development often overlap with preferred habitats of the Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), a lek-mating prairie grouse of conservation concern. We tested for potential effects of Energy Development on male Greater Prairie-Chickens in north-central Kansas. We captured males at 23 leks located 0.04 to 28 km from Wind turbines during a 2-yr preconstruction period (2007–2008) and a 3-yr postconstruction period (2009–2011). First, we tested for effects of proximity to turbines, habitat, and lek size on annual probability of lek persistence and changes in male numbers. We predicted that Energy Development might result in behavioral avoidance of areas close to turbines, resulting in increased rates of lek abandonment and fewer males attending surviving leks. We found that distance to turbine had a negative effect on lek persistence for leks ,8 km from turbines during the postconstruction period, supporting the 8-km buffer zone recommended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an offset for Wind Energy projects. Additionally, lek persistence was positively related to number of males counted at a lek and with grassland cover surrounding the lek. Second, we tested for effects of Wind Energy Development on male body mass. We predicted that degraded habitat conditions might result in decreased body mass for males attending leks near turbines during the postconstruction period. Male body mass was ~2% lower during the postconstruction period, but distance to turbine did not affect body mass. Additional study is needed to determine whether short-term effects of turbines on lek persistence influence population viability of Greater Prairie-Chickens.
-
Effects of Wind Energy Development on nesting ecology of Greater Prairie-Chickens in fragmented grasslands
Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Lance B. Mcnew, A. J. Gregory, Samantha M. Wisely, L. M. Hunt, Brett K SandercockAbstract:Wind Energy is targeted to meet 20% of U.S. Energy needs by 2030, but new sites for Development of renewable Energy may overlap with important habitats of declining populations of grassland birds. Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) are an obligate grassland bird species predicted to respond negatively to Energy Development. We used a modified before–after control–impact design to test for impacts of a Wind Energy Development on the reproductive ecology of prairie-chickens in a 5-year study. We located 59 and 185 nests before and after Development, respectively, of a 201 MW Wind Energy facility in Greater Prairie-Chicken nesting habitat and assessed nest site selection and nest survival relative to proximity to Wind Energy infrastructure and habitat conditions. Proximity to turbines did not negatively affect nest site selection (β = 0.03, 95% CI = −1.2–1.3) or nest survival (β = −0.3, 95% CI = −0.6–0.1). Instead, nest site selection and survival were strongly related to vegetative cover and other local conditions determined by management for cattle production. Integration of our project results with previous reports of behavioral avoidance of oil and gas facilities by other species of prairie grouse suggests new avenues for research to mitigate impacts of Energy Development. Efectos del Desarrollo de la Energia Eolica sobre la Ecologia de Anidacion de Gallinas de la Gran Pradera en Pastizales Fragmentados Resumen Se calcula que la energia eolica aportara el 20% de las necesidades energeticas de los Estados Unidos para el 2030, pero nuevos sitios para el desarrollo de energia renovable pueden traslaparse con habitats importantes de poblaciones declinantes de aves de pastizal. La gallina de la Gran Pradera (Tympanuchus cupido) es una especie de ave obligada de pastizal que se pronostica respondera negativamente al desarrollo energetico. Usamos un diseno ADCI modificado para probar los impactos del desarrollo de la energia eolica sobre la ecologia reproductiva de las gallinas en un estudio de 5 anos. Ubicamos 59 y 185 nidos antes y despues del desarrollo, respectivamente, de una instalacion de energia eolica de 201 MW en el habitat de anidacion de las gallinas y estudiamos la seleccion de sitio de anidacion y la supervivencia de nidos en relacion con la proximidad a la infraestructura y las condiciones de habitat. La proximidad con las turbinas no afecto negativamente a la seleccion de sitios de anidacion (β = -0.3, 95% CI = -0.6–0.1). En su lugar, la seleccion de sitios de anidacion y la supervivencia estuvieron fuertemente relacionadas con la cobertura vegetal y otras condiciones locales determinadas por el manejo de la produccion de ganado. La integracion de los resultados de nuestro proyecto con reportes previos de la evitacion conductual de instalaciones de petroleo y gas por otras especies de pastizales sugiere nuevas vias para que la investigacion mitigue los impactos del desarrollo energetico.
-
Space use by female Greater Prairie-Chickens in response to Wind Energy Development
Ecosphere, 2014Co-Authors: V. L. Winder, A. J. Gregory, Lance B. Mcnew, Samantha M. Wisely, L. M. Hunt, Brett K SandercockAbstract:Wind Energy Development is targeted to meet 20% of U.S. Energy demand by 2030. In Kansas, optimal sites for Wind Energy Development often overlap with preferred habitats of Greater PrairieChickens (Tympanuchus cupido), a lek-mating species of prairie grouse with declining populations. Our goal was to use movement data from radio telemetry to investigate patterns and drivers of seasonal space use by female prairie-chickens during pre- and post-construction periods at a Wind Energy facility in northcentral Kansas. We developed individual and population level resource utilization functions (RUFs) for four time periods: the 6-month breeding and nonbreeding seasons during the pre-construction stage (2007–2008; n = 28 and 14 females), and the same two seasons during a post-construction period (2009– 2011; n = 102 and 37). RUFs relate non-uniform space use within a home range to landscape metrics in a multiple regression framework. We selected ten predictor variables that described land cover, habitat patchiness, anthropogenic disturbance, and social behavior of prairie-chickens. We documented two behavioral responses of females to Wind Energy Development during the breeding season: (1) mean home range size increased approximately two-fold, and (2) space use had a positive relationship with distance to turbine, which indicated female avoidance of Wind turbines. A parallel study of demographic rates in our study population found no negative effects of Wind Energy Development on prairie-chicken fecundity or survival, but persistent avoidance of Wind Energy Development could result in the local extirpation of prairie-chicken populations at our study site. Our primary ecological finding was that distance to lek was the strongest predictor of space use during all treatment periods, with relatively high use of areas at short distances from leks in 79% of female home ranges. Thus, lek site surveys should be effective for identifying prairie grouse habitat preferences and monitoring population dynamics when more intensive demographic studies are not feasible. Our study is the first application of resource utilization function techniques to a wildlife population in response to Energy Development, and our results provide new quantitative insights into the spatial ecology of an upland gamebird of conservation concern.
-
Space use by female Greater Prairie‐Chickens in response to Wind Energy Development
Ecosphere, 2014Co-Authors: V. L. Winder, A. J. Gregory, Lance B. Mcnew, Samantha M. Wisely, L. M. Hunt, Brett K SandercockAbstract:Wind Energy Development is targeted to meet 20% of U.S. Energy demand by 2030. In Kansas, optimal sites for Wind Energy Development often overlap with preferred habitats of Greater Prairie- Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), a lek-mating species of prairie grouse with declining populations. Our goal was to use movement data from radio telemetry to investigate patterns and drivers of seasonal space use by female prairie-chickens during pre- and post-construction periods at a Wind Energy facility in northcentral Kansas. We developed individual and population level resource utilization functions (RUFs) for four time periods: the 6-month breeding and nonbreeding seasons during the pre-construction stage (2007-2008; n ¼ 28 and 14 females), and the same two seasons during a post-construction period (2009- 2011; n ¼ 102 and 37). RUFs relate non-uniform space use within a home range to landscape metrics in a multiple regression framework. We selected ten predictor variables that described land cover, habitat patchiness, anthropogenic disturbance, and social behavior of prairie-chickens. We documented two behavioral responses of females to Wind Energy Development during the breeding season: (1) mean home range size increased approximately two-fold, and (2) space use had a positive relationship with distance to turbine, which indicated female avoidance of Wind turbines. A parallel study of demographic rates in our study population found no negative effects of Wind Energy Development on prairie-chicken fecundity or survival, but persistent avoidance of Wind Energy Development could result in the local extirpation of prairie-chicken populations at our study site. Our primary ecological finding was that distance to lek was the strongest predictor of space use during all treatment periods, with relatively high use of areas at short distances from leks in 79% of female home ranges. Thus, lek site surveys should be effective for identifying prairie grouse habitat preferences and monitoring population dynamics when more intensive demographic studies are not feasible. Our study is the first application of resource utilization function techniques to a wildlife population in response to Energy Development, and our results provide new quantitative insights into the spatial ecology of an upland gamebird of conservation concern.
-
Effects of Wind Energy Development on survival of female greater prairie-chickens
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: V. L. Winder, A. J. Gregory, Lance B. Mcnew, Samantha M. Wisely, L. M. Hunt, Brett K SandercockAbstract:Summary 1. The potential effects of Wind Energy Development on wildlife have received increased attention over the past decade. In Kansas, optimal sites for Wind Energy Development often overlap with preferred habitats of greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido. Our goal was to determine whether Wind Energy Development affected survival of female prairie-chickens in a grassland ecosystem, assessing one potential impact of Wind on an upland gamebird of conservation concern. We focused primarily on the response of female prairie-chickens to Wind Energy Development because population dynamics of prairie-chickens are primarily determined by female demography. 2. We monitored prairie-chickens at a Wind facility in Kansas during a 2-year pre-construction (2007–2008) and a 3-year post-construction period (2009–2011). We used data from 220 radio-marked females to calculate weekly survival and hazard rates. We used cause of death for 81 mortality events to test for changes in the proportion of mortalities attributed to mammalian predators, avian predators and collisions. 3. We observed an unexpected increase in annual survival during the post-construction period (057) compared with the pre-construction period (032). Distance from home range centroid to the nearest Wind turbine site had no effect on weekly survival of females. Collision mortality events were rare, and most were associated with fences or transmission lines and not turbine blades. 4. Most female mortality was due to predation (c. 90%). Differences in annual survival were driven by a higher risk of mortality during lekking activity in March and April during the preconstruction period (weekly hazard rate = 0050–0062) compared with the post-construction period (hazard rate = 0012–0021). We observed no change in the proportion of mortalities attributed to different causes between the two treatment periods. 5. Synthesis and applications. Development of a Wind Energy facility had no negative effect on survival of female prairie-chickens. The results of our field study indicate that greater prairie-chickens are less sensitive to Wind Energy Development than lesser prairie-chickens Tympanuchus pallidicinctus and greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus are to oil and gas Development. We have strong evidence that survival increased after Wind Energy Development, and hypothesize that Energy Development affected the local predator community, resulting in an indirect effect of decreased predation risk during the post-construction period.
Emmanuel K. Yiridoe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Social acceptance of Wind Energy Development and planning in rural communities of Australia: A consumer analysis
Energy Policy, 2014Co-Authors: Clare D׳souza, Emmanuel K. YiridoeAbstract:Abstract Social acceptance is necessary for widespread adoption of new renewable Energy technologies. A lack of social acceptance by local community residents is a barrier to increasing the renewable Energy mix and targets in Australia. This study empirically evaluated predictor importance of key constructs of social acceptance, using responses from a sample of 226 survey respondents in Australia. Regression analysis suggest that ‘Concerns with Wind turbines’ was the predictor most strongly correlated with Social Acceptance, followed by ‘Annoyance with Wind turbines’, and then ‘Consultation with stakeholders’. Implications of the study and recommendations for consideration by various interest groups (such as policy makers, and potential entrepreneurs) are discussed. This research contributes to theory building rather than theory testing of social acceptance of Wind Energy Development.
