Abstract
The aim of this report is to assess the feasibility and levels of stakeholder interest in undertaking a meta-analysis of data on displacement of red-throated divers Gavia stellata by offshore wind farms (OWFs). There may be considerable obstacles to undertaking a meta-analysis. These include: Willingness to collaborate and share data. Statistical difficulties regarding the type of meta-analysis and the feasibility of combining data sources. Buy-in from relevant stakeholders including the use of the outputs and their contribution to its delivery. These issues could pose a risk to the meta-analysis being undertaken successfully and the work contracted by JNCC sought to evaluate and quantify the extent to which that may be the case. The objectives of the work were to: 1. Assess the amount of data that has been collected on red-throated diver abundance and distribution in relation to OWFs and the availability of that data for the proposed meta-analysis. 2. Consider which statistical approaches could feasibly be used in the meta analysis, given the quality and quantity of data. 3. Assess levels of stakeholder interest in the outputs of the meta-analysis and willingness to contribute data and/or funds to the meta-analysis. The amount of data that has been collected on red-throated diver in relation to OWFs was assessed through a literature review. The willingness of data holders to contribute data to the proposed meta-analysis and the potential support from a wider group of stakeholders was assessed through two questionnaires. The request for information through the questionnaires was predicated on an assurance of anonymity in the way that the responses were reported - the information obtained through the questionnaire is aggregated, categorised or simply not attributed to any individual or related to any individual OWF development. The consideration of statistical approaches was based on a literature review and the expertise held by Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.