OTHER WILDLIFE HABITAT

Some studies have shown that birds and other animals tend to avoid nesting or hunting for food in the immediate vicinity of wind turbines. Furthermore, when building the wind turbine, road construction and tree clearing also degrade and fragment natural habitat and allow for the invasion of exotic species. This issue is especially problematic for habitats in remote, mountainous areas that are especially biologically diverse because these regions provide some of the most favorable wind resources.

Due to these concerns, ecologically sensitive areas should be off-limits to wind turbine development. If, however, a wind turbine is sited in close proximity to such habitats, developers can invest in various mitigation techniques to offset any negative impacts on the environment. Examples such as tree planting or creating new habitats, restoring land that was disturbed by construction, and careful monitoring of habitat health are some options.

Ultimately, in order to determine the specific impacts on wildlife habitat, wind turbine developers should consult with appropriate federal and state agencies as well as environmental organizations. Siting a wind turbine away from ecological hotspots should be a primary consideration.

Source: http://www.nationalwind.org