Thesis

How is cumulative seabird displacement from offshore wind farms assessed and verified, and what does current and future cumulative displacement look like?

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2024
Thesis identifier
  • T17071
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201777816
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • The cumulative impact of offshore wind farms is likely to become one of the largest factors in delaying or preventing the construction of renewable energy. Cumulative effects assessments are carried out on a range of species and industries, but there needs to be consistency in the species that are assessed cumulatively. A critical step in understanding the impact on sensitive species is the ability to detect seabird changes in abundance through careful survey design. Minimising the displacement of birds by altering the spatial design of a wind farm is also a key factor in marine planning. Predicting future cumulative displacement using a range of displacement metrics is further required to mitigate impacts. Environmental Statements of spatially close UK offshore wind farms were reviewed, and the species included in their cumulative assessments were compared. Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) distribution data from 1979 to 2012 was used to investigate how survey design variables influenced the statistical power of being able to detect displacement. Statistical analysis was undertaken to determine whether wind farm design is a factor in seabird displacement. Furthermore, seabird distribution was overlain with 18 operational and planned wind farms, and displacement scenarios were simulated to investigate cumulative impacts on a Special Protection Areas in the southern North Sea. This research found that numerous approaches have been taken to assessing cumulative impacts on seabirds, seemingly without standardisation, potentially leading to either underestimates or overestimates. When looking to predict and confirm displacement impacts, consideration needs to be given to alterable but costly factors, such as spacing transects and the number of surveys, and to site-specific factors, such as the density of birds. The wind farm design could be further modified, for instance, by spacing turbines further apart to minimise displacement. Cumulative displacement without mitigation may lead to massive areas of habitat loss.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Knapp, Charles W.
  • João, Elsa M.
Resource Type
DOI

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