Corridor
Whooping Cranes Endangered By Wind Turbines
The popular alternative, renewable energy may pose a risk for the endangered species.
The past few months have seen increased discussion of alternative
energy sources including wind energy here in the United States. Private
investors including oil-man T. Boone Pickens have touted exploitation
of the Midwest’s wind potential through high-profile television ads in
this time of four-a-gallon gas prices. With 40,000 new
turbines expected to be erected, the Fish and Wildlife Service remains
wary, but understands the importance of developing renewable energy,
and remains
committed to cooperation to increase the vitality of both interests. The U.S. Department of the Interior
established a Wind Turbine Advisory Committee (WTAC) for the purpose of making
recommendations to the Secretary on maintaining wildlife habitat. Whooping
cranes typically fly at altitudes of at least 500 feet: So far no
whooping cranes have been killed by wind turbines, which are usually
about 300 feet high.
The danger comes, however, upon their nightly landing. According
to Tom Stehn, of the FWS, the placement of wind farms could result in
huge losses of natural habitat if birds avoid their usual migration
routes. Note how the migration route overlaps the wind power map. whooping crane migration map Another article notes that other species, such as the Prairie Chicken, avoid nesting near tall structures such as turbines. The corridor reaching from North
Dakota down into Texas is recognized as some of the greatest wind potential. Industry officials from organizations such as
the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) are aware of the potential impact
on
wildlife and aim to minimize it, but emphasize the role in all areas of
development of protecting wildlife and not singling wind power, since,
according to Nature, one bird is killed for every thirty turbines--a number much less than many other man-made features. Most environmental groups, the FWS, and
the Secretary of the Interior support renewable energy sources such as
wind, but wish to work together to protect the interests of both sides.
Articles on this topic: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/04/wind-farms-cranes.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23389384/
Fact Sheets on Wildlife Impact from the American Wind Energy
Association
http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets.html
WTAC site—they are meeting this week, so this site may have
updates soon
http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/windpower/wind_turbine_advisory_committee.html
FWS on Wind Energy
Scientists: wildlife corridors benefit plant biodiversity, native plants
A six-year study at the world’s largest experimental landscape devoted to the corridors — links between otherwise isolated natural areas — has found that more plant species, and specifically more native plant species, persist in areas connected by the corridors than in isolated areas.
Forgot your password?
