Mortality of bats at wind turbines links to nocturnal insect migration?

Summary, in English

This note is based on a literature search and a recent review of bat mortality data from wind farms in Europe (published elsewhere). We suggest that mortality of bats at wind turbines may be linked to high-altitude feeding on migrating insects that accumulate at the turbine towers. Modern wind turbines seem to reach high enough into the airspace to interfere with the migratory movements of insects. The hypothesis is consistent with recent observations of bats at wind turbines. It is supported by the observation that mortality of bats at wind turbines is highly seasonal (August-September) and typically peaks during nights with weather conditions known to trigger large-scale migratory movements of insects (and songbirds). We also discuss other current hypotheses concerning the mortality of bats at wind turbines.

• Författare: Jens Rydell; Lothar Bach; Marie-Jo Dubourg-Savage; Martin Green; Luisa Rodrigues; Anders Hedenström
• Avdelning/ar: Evolutionär ekologi; Biodiversitet; BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate; Biodiversitet och bevarandevetenskap
• Publiceringsår: 2010
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 823-827
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: European Journal of Wildlife Research
• Volym: 56
• Issue: 6
• Länkar: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0444-3
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: Springer
• Ämne: Ecology; Biological Sciences
• Nyckelord: Moths; Insect behaviour; Aeroecology; Bat conservation; Wind energy
• Status: Published
• Forskningsgrupp: Biodiversity and Conservation Science
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 1612-4642