Vulnerable birds to collide against wind towers in Rivas, Nicaragua, before construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5377/elhigo.v11i1.11725Keywords:
Collision risk, environmental impact assessment, vulnerability index, wind generatorAbstract
A Bird Vulnerability Index (BVI) and Potential Vulnerability Map (PVM) was applied to determine which are the most susceptible bird species to collide with wind towers and the riskiest sites, in a wind power plant south from the city of Rivas. Transects were placed in two areas where the towers would be placed: Grasslands without Trees and Grasslands with Trees. Transects were also made in adjacent habitats such as Lake Nicaragua Coast and Riparian Forest. The BVI was calculated with nine factors (Flight Height, Type of Flight, Wingspan, Weight, Status, Abundance, Reproductive Status, International and National Conservation Status). The total PVM was calculated from all detected species, and average PMV only using species that exceeded the specific BVI median. The risk of habitat collision was calculated by determining that less of 50th percentile is considered to be low risk, and high risk when the percentile is greater than 50. The highest vulnerability index is found in the species: Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway), Nicaraguan Grackle (Quiscalus nicaraguensis), and Great Heron (Ardea herodias). The riparian forest and grassland with trees are the sites with the highest risk of collision to install wind towers. The BVI and PVM are important tools that allow the identification of potential risks of bird collision with wind towers before their construction.
Downloads
1000
References
Arnett, EB., Brown, WK., Erickson, WP., Fiedler, JK., Hamilton BI., Henry, TH.,… Tankersley. Jr. RD. (2008). Patterns of bat fatalities at wind energy facilities in North America. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(1), 61-78.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (2015, 1 de mayo). Bird Guide. Recuperado de https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/about/
Hernández-Sampieri, R., Collado, C., y Baptista, P. (2014). Metodología de la investigación. México, D.F., México: Mc Graw-Hill.
International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2016). Red list of threatened species. Recuperado de https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Manzanarez, R., Tórrez, M., Gutiérrez, A., Manzanares, J., y Gutiérrez, Z. (Ed.). (2018). Lista Roja de Especies Vertebradas en Riesgo de Extinción de Nicaragua. Managua, Nicaragua: Jóvenes Ambientalistas.
Martínez-Sánchez, J. C., Durioux, L. & Muñoz, F. (2014). A guide to the birds of Nicaragua. Alemania: Westarp Science Fachvlge.
McCrary, J. & Young, D. (2008). New and noteworthy observations of raptors in southward migration in Nicaragua. Ornitología Neotropical, 19(4), 573-580. Recuperado de https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228493827_New_and_noteworthy_observations_of_raptors_in_southward_migration_in_Nicaragua
Pérez, A. M. (2004). Aspectos Conceptuales, Análisis numérico, Monitoreo y Publicación de Datos sobre Biodiversidad. Managua, Nicaragua: MARENA – ARAUCARIA.
Ralph, C.J., Geupel, G., Pyle, P., Martin, T., DeSante, D. y Milá, B. (1996). Manual de métodos de campo para el monitoreo de aves terrestres. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station. Recuperado de https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr159/psw_gtr159.pdf
Stiles, G. & Skutch, A. (1989). A guide to the birds of Costa Rica. New York, USA: Cornell University Press.
Strickland, M.D., Arnett, E.B., Erickson, W.P., Johnson, D.H., Johnson, G.D., Morrison, M.L., Shaffer, J.A., & Warren-Hicks, W. (2011). Comprehensive guide to studying wind energy/wildlife interactions. Washington, DC: The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative.
Wunderle, J. (1994). Métodos de campo para contar aves terrestres del Caribe. USDA Forest Service, Souther Forest Experiment Station. Recuperado de https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283349293_Metodos_Para_Contar_Aves_Terrestres_Del_Caribe/link/5636168908aeb786b703d6e8/download
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
All material published in the journal is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. Copying and redistribution of the material in any medium or format is permitted as long as explicit credit is given to the journal, the author and the work, it is distributed free of charge and without modification to the content.
