Technical systems for generating renewable energy can cause hazards, especially for protected species. A series of projects is examining if and how birds, bats and fish are negatively affected by various systems and how this can be evaluated in the context of the legal protection of individual species. In addition, attention is being given to how the negative effects can be successfully avoided or reduced in practice.
Funded projects:
Taking account of species' protection interests when installing small wind turbines
This project is recording baseline data on a larger scale for the first time in order to evaluate the effects of small wind turbines on birds and bats. The study also aims to analyse the relevant factors. Possible negative effects on species can then be reduced, if energy generation from small wind turbines becomes more important in future.
Bird migration over the open sea: methods, space/time patterns and conflicts with the use of offshore wind energy (BIRDMOVE)
The aim of the project is to study the potential effects of offshore wind turbines on migratory birds and passage migrants.
Evaluation of measures to re-establish free movement: Para. 35 of the Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz, WHG)
This project is developing a research concept for the production and evaluation of fish protection and fish bypass facilities at hydropower sites in Eddersheim, Main and Griesheim. The effectiveness of various fish protection and fish bypass facilities will be evaluated by a monitoring system.
Before and after studies at forest wind turbines to determine the effects on bat distribution
The object of this research project is to establish whether and to what extent wind turbines at forest sites have a negative effect on bats, disturb them or even threaten them to a significant degree. Based on this study, measures will be suggested for building and operating wind turbines at sites where populations of sensitive species of bats live.
Technical planning evaluation of the effects of hydropower plants on fish
In order to be able to evaluate the threat to different fish species from hydropower objectively, this project will apply the methods of the mortality risk index to fish for the first time. Based on this, the mortality risks for different species at hydropower plants will be assessed and the important factors for this identified plus a range of hydropower technologies and protection devices for fish evaluated.
Effects on marine mammals of underwater noise from offshore wind turbines (UWE)
With the use of the North and Baltic Seas as sites for wind turbines, marine mammals are being exposed to increasing underwater noise. The planned methods and measuring procedures enable an evaluation of the effects of anthropogenic noise inputs on marine mammals in order to facilitate the nature conservation policy management of offshore wind turbines.
Identifying bat migration routes and corridors
Wind turbines present a potential danger to migrating bats. However, there is very little known about their migration routes, so these cannot be taken into account when planning wind turbines. This pilot study assesses the available data on the seasonal occurrence of bats, evaluates research methods for studying migration and supplies results from field studies of the Noctule bat and Nathusius' pipistrelle. The project has already been completed. It was not possible to verify definite migration corridors within the scope of this study.
Analysis of the causes of population changes of indicator bird species and the energy transition
The project investigates changes in the nesting populations of bird species, especially those which are considered as conservation indicators of species diversity and landscape quality. In combination with other environmental parameters, the project aims to analyse which causes and factors control the development of these populations.