Mapping seabird sensitivity to offshore wind farms.

Area of Science:

• Marine ecology
• Avian conservation
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• Offshore wind farm development is increasing in English territorial waters.
• Assessing potential impacts on seabird populations is crucial for marine spatial planning.
• Existing data on seabird distribution and sensitivity to development were fragmented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present the Seabird Mapping and Sensitivity Tool (SeaMaST).
• To map seabird and inshore waterbird usage and relative sensitivity to offshore wind farms.
• To provide an evidence-based resource for the offshore wind industry and statutory agencies.

Main Methods:

• Compiled data from offshore boat and aerial surveys (1979-2012).
• Utilized distance analysis and Density Surface Modelling to predict bird densities (3 km×3 km grid).
• Developed sensitivity scores for species based on collision and displacement risks, integrated with density data.

Main Results:

• Generated relative sensitivity maps for seabirds in English territorial waters.
• Maps accurately reflected distributions of highly sensitive species.
• Provided estimates of confidence in density predictions (Coefficients of Variation).

Conclusions:

• SeaMaST is a valuable new tool for assessing offshore development impacts on seabirds.
• The tool supports marine spatial planning and identifies key sea usage areas for marine birds.
• SeaMaST enhances risk assessment for seabird populations amidst expanding offshore wind development.