A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Management highlights the importance of developing risk maps to avoid harming biodiversity when planning offshore wind farms. The study, conducted by researchers from several Spanish universities, found that offshore wind energy expansion needs to be balanced with conservation efforts. The authors propose using mathematical models to predict the foraging grounds of seabirds and marine mammals, taking into account the structure of marine food webs.
The study revealed a “bottom-up” trophic control, where the biomass of lower trophic levels, such as phytoplankton and fish, is more important than the diversity of species for the richness of seabird and marine mammal species. This understanding enabled the authors to create global risk maps, overlaying biodiversity hotspots with wind power density data, and predicting where wind farms are most likely to be developed.
The results showed widespread overlap between feeding areas and regions with high wind potential, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the Southern Hemisphere showed less overlap, which may be due to data scarcity rather than a lower actual risk. The authors emphasized the need to expand and strengthen marine protected areas (MPAs), integrate ecological data into marine spatial planning, and establish “exclusion zones” where biodiversity conservation takes precedence over energy development.
The study also highlighted the importance of tracking birds using GPS devices to pinpoint high-risk crossing zones and assess behavior. The authors recommended that governments have robust spatial planning tools grounded in up-to-date, independent scientific knowledge to achieve a balance between energy development and biodiversity conservation. The study’s findings can inform the development of offshore wind farms and help ensure sustainable development.