Applied Solutions to Balance Conservation Need With Practical Applications: A Case Study With Eagles Movement Models...

Area of Science:

• Conservation science
• Renewable energy development
• Avian ecology

Background:

• Wind energy development poses a "green-green dilemma," balancing climate change mitigation with biodiversity impacts.
• Avoiding high-risk areas for vulnerable species is crucial, with predictive models identifying raptor collision risks.
• Industry adoption of predictive models for Verreaux's Eagles in South Africa has declined due to output uncertainty (research-implementation gap).

Purpose of the Study:

• To reduce uncertainty in predictive collision risk models for Verreaux's Eagles.
• To improve the implementation of conservation tools in wind energy development.
• To assess if a fixed-area risk zone enhances species protection compared to variable or buffer zones.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a predictive habitat use model for Verreaux's Eagles (Aquila verreauxii).
• Compared a fixed-area risk zone approach against traditional circular buffers.
• Quantified the proportion of eagle-used space protected by each method.

Main Results:

• The fixed-area approach improved Verreaux's Eagle protection by 6%-7% compared to circular buffers.
• This method offered a 2%-3% improvement over previous threshold-based classifications.
• The fixed-area model ensures no unexpected loss of developable land for wind energy projects.

Conclusions:

• Adapting conservation tools to stakeholder needs is vital for sustainable renewable energy development.
• Balancing practical application with conservation goals is critical, especially where policy enforcement is limited.
• The fixed-area approach offers a viable solution to the research-implementation gap in wind energy-biodiversity conflicts.