Risk evaluation for federally listed (roseate tern, piping plover) or candidate (red knot) bird species in offshore waters: A first step for managing the potential impacts of wind facility development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

TY - JOUR

T1 - Risk evaluation for federally listed (roseate tern, piping plover) or candidate (red knot) bird species in offshore waters

T2 - A first step for managing the potential impacts of wind facility development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

AU - Burger, Joanna

AU - Gordon, Caleb

AU - Lawrence, J.

AU - Newman, James

AU - Forcey, Greg

AU - Vlietstra, Lucy

N1 - Funding Information: Over the years, we have had many important collaborations that aided in this analysis, and we gratefully acknowledge the following for their advice and help: M. Gochfeld, M. Dey, A.J. Baker, H. Hayes, B. A. Harrington, D. Jenkins, C. Kiesel, R. G. Lathrop, C. D.T. Minton, I. Nisbet, R. Porter, C. Safina, D. Shealer, J. Spendelow, and H.P. Sitters. Funding for this project came primarily from the MMS ( Minerals Management Service , US Department of the Interior) (contract M08PC20060 with Pandion Systems Inc.). James Woehr of the MMS also provided much useful information on risks to birds from offshore wind. Additional support came from Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey, the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, and the US Coast Guard.

PY - 2011/1

Y1 - 2011/1

N2 - With a worldwide increase in attention toward developing a reliance on renewable energy, there is a need to evaluate the effects of these facilities (solar, wind, hydropower) on ecosystems. We conduct a hazard and risk evaluation for three species of birds that are listed, or candidates for listing, as federally threatened or endangered in the US, and that might occur offshore on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (AOCS) where wind power facilities could be developed. Our objectives were to: 1) provide conceptual models for exposure for each species, and 2) examine potential exposure and hazards of roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus, both federally endangered in the US) and red knot (Calidris canutus rufa, candidate species) in the AOCS. We used a weight-of-evidence approach to evaluate information from a review of technical literature. We developed conceptual models to examine the relative vulnerability of each species as a function of life stage and cycle (breeding, staging, migratory, wintering). These methods are useful for conducting environmental assessments when empirical data are insufficient for a full risk assessment. We determined that 1) Roseate terns are likely to be exposed to risk during the migratory and breeding season when they occur in the AOCS, as well as while staging. 2) Piping plovers are not likely to be at risk during the breeding season, but may be at risk during spring or fall migrations. Risk to this species is likely to be low from turbines located far from land as this species migrates mainly along the coast. 3) Red knots are potentially exposed to some risk during migration, especially long-distance migrants whose migratory routes take them over the AOCS. More information is required on exact spatio-temporal migration routes, flight altitudes (especially during ascent and descent), and behavioral avoidance of turbines by birds to ascertain their risk.

AB - With a worldwide increase in attention toward developing a reliance on renewable energy, there is a need to evaluate the effects of these facilities (solar, wind, hydropower) on ecosystems. We conduct a hazard and risk evaluation for three species of birds that are listed, or candidates for listing, as federally threatened or endangered in the US, and that might occur offshore on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (AOCS) where wind power facilities could be developed. Our objectives were to: 1) provide conceptual models for exposure for each species, and 2) examine potential exposure and hazards of roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus, both federally endangered in the US) and red knot (Calidris canutus rufa, candidate species) in the AOCS. We used a weight-of-evidence approach to evaluate information from a review of technical literature. We developed conceptual models to examine the relative vulnerability of each species as a function of life stage and cycle (breeding, staging, migratory, wintering). These methods are useful for conducting environmental assessments when empirical data are insufficient for a full risk assessment. We determined that 1) Roseate terns are likely to be exposed to risk during the migratory and breeding season when they occur in the AOCS, as well as while staging. 2) Piping plovers are not likely to be at risk during the breeding season, but may be at risk during spring or fall migrations. Risk to this species is likely to be low from turbines located far from land as this species migrates mainly along the coast. 3) Red knots are potentially exposed to some risk during migration, especially long-distance migrants whose migratory routes take them over the AOCS. More information is required on exact spatio-temporal migration routes, flight altitudes (especially during ascent and descent), and behavioral avoidance of turbines by birds to ascertain their risk.

KW - Environmental assessment

KW - Hazard

KW - Marine birds

KW - Offshore development

KW - Risk assessment

KW - Wind power

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79751484015&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79751484015&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2010.06.048

DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2010.06.048

M3 - Article

SN - 0960-1481

VL - 36

SP - 338

EP - 351

JO - Renewable Energy

JF - Renewable Energy

IS - 1

ER -