Abstract
The data and information available for bats from environmental investigations and independent studies in Danish offshore areas is scarce and data collection has not been systematically planned or repeated on a large scale over time and space. The sensitivity map for bats presented in this report is therefore based on expert evaluations and a cautionary principle as it was not possible based on current knowledge to develop an objective and quantitative spatial model to predict species occurrence, abundance and risk of impact. Until a more robust database is established, bats are predicted to be overall most sensitive within a 20 km distance of the entire Danish coastline and throughout the Baltic Sea and Belt area. From 20 to 40 km offshore the sensitivity is assessed as medium. Further offshore, the sensitivity of bat populations to wind turbines in the North Sea is assessed as low, while the sensitivity in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat is assessed as medium. The report highlights methodological challenges and significant knowledge gaps