Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling

Journal Article

Title: Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling

Author:

Ajmi, S.; Boutet, M.; Bennis, A.; Dauvin, J.

Publication Date:

February 25, 2025

Journal:

Ocean Dynamics

Volume:

Pages:

Publisher:

Springer Nature

Affiliation

University of Caen Normandy (UNICAEN)

Technology:

Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind

Stressor:

Attraction, Changes in Flow

Receptor:

Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality

Language:

English

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Citation

Ajmi, S.; Boutet, M.; Bennis, A.; Dauvin, J. (2025). Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling. Ocean Dynamics, 75, 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-025-01665-8

@article{Ajmi-2025-,
author = {Ajmi, S and Boutet, M and Bennis, A and Dauvin, J},
title = {Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling},
journal = {Ocean Dynamics},
year = {2025},
month = {feb},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
volume = {75},
pages = {18},
doi = {10.1007/s10236-025-01665-8},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10236-025-01665-8},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Attraction, Changes in Flow, Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - JOUR
TI - Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling
AU - Ajmi, S
AU - Boutet, M
AU - Bennis, A
AU - Dauvin, J
T2 - Ocean Dynamics
AB - This study examines the potential local and regional environmental impacts of Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) in the extended Bay of Seine, focusing on their role as artificial habitats for benthopelagic species and the formation of reef ecosystems. We explore how OWFs, under met-oceanic conditions, may influence larval dispersal through hydrodynamic and reef effects. The dispersal of both native species (such as mussels and European green crabs) and invasive species (e.g., Japanese oysters and Asian shore crabs) is simulated using a coupled physical-biological numerical model. It is observed that wind farms serve as relay points for species, facilitating connectivity between the farms and the shores of the extended Bay of Seine. Larval dispersal from the wind farms shows connectivity not only between the farms themselves but also between the farms and the shores of the extended Seine Bay, with approximately 7.44% of initially emitted larvae settling inside the Courseulles-sur-Mer OWF. As expected, the spatial resolution of the hydrodynamic model impacts the results, influencing larval retention particularly at the intersection of different nested grids. Our results indicate that it would be preferable to include effects of OWFs in future coastal management scenarios and underline the need to study cumulative impacts.
DA - 2025/02//
PY - 2025
PB - Springer Nature
VL - 75
SP - 18
UR - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10236-025-01665-8
DO - 10.1007/s10236-025-01665-8
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Attraction
KW - Changes in Flow
KW - Ecosystem Processes
KW - Invertebrates
KW - Physical Environment
KW - Sediment Transport
KW - Water Quality
ER -

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Abstract

This study examines the potential local and regional environmental impacts of Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) in the extended Bay of Seine, focusing on their role as artificial habitats for benthopelagic species and the formation of reef ecosystems. We explore how OWFs, under met-oceanic conditions, may influence larval dispersal through hydrodynamic and reef effects. The dispersal of both native species (such as mussels and European green crabs) and invasive species (e.g., Japanese oysters and Asian shore crabs) is simulated using a coupled physical-biological numerical model. It is observed that wind farms serve as relay points for species, facilitating connectivity between the farms and the shores of the extended Bay of Seine. Larval dispersal from the wind farms shows connectivity not only between the farms themselves but also between the farms and the shores of the extended Seine Bay, with approximately 7.44% of initially emitted larvae settling inside the Courseulles-sur-Mer OWF. As expected, the spatial resolution of the hydrodynamic model impacts the results, influencing larval retention particularly at the intersection of different nested grids. Our results indicate that it would be preferable to include effects of OWFs in future coastal management scenarios and underline the need to study cumulative impacts.