Wind farms, often considered a symbol of a sustainable future, they threaten several bird species. A recent document from Italian Center for Ornithological Studies (CISO) highlighted how eagles, storks and cranes are at risk from wind turbines. As many as 45 species are threatenedincluding the Egyptian vulture and the lanner falcon, already at risk of extinction.
Experts highlight the importance of consider migratory routes in the planning of wind power plants. Currently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Incidence Assessment (Vinca) procedures fail to adequately protect biodiversity. According to Maurizio Sara, president of the CISO and professor of Zoology at the University of Palermo, the objective is not to block the development of wind farms, but improve procedures to avoid damage to ecosystems.
Wind energy and biodiversity: data on bird deaths
The data published in the journal Biological Conservation are alarming: bird deaths linked to energy infrastructures, such as power lines and wind farms, represent 48.98% of the total deaths of species along the African-African routeEurasian from 2003 to 2021. This means 835 deaths out of 1,704 detecteda number that includes birds of prey, storks and cranes.
A qualitative as well as quantitative problem
It’s not just about numbers. Every individual lost of rare species such as the Egyptian vulture and the lanner falcon represents irreparable damage. In Italy, for example, there are only from 9 to 14 nesting territories for the Egyptian vulture and less than 30 couples of lanner falcon. There loss even a single bird can seriously compromise the survival chances of these species.
To protect biodiversity, it is crucial that new wind installations consider sensitive areas carefully and migratory routes. Only in this way will we be able to combine sustainable development and nature conservation.
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