TY - RPRT
TI - Coastal and Marine Habitats
AU - Special Initiative on Offshore Wind
AB - What you should know:Coastal areas are very important habitats for supporting a wide array of ocean and land-based species, as well as protecting coastlines from the effects of erosion. Offshore wind development can disturb coastal habitats with its related submarine cabling infrastructure, but regulations and best practices can substantially minimize potential disturbance. Some species move up and down in the water column (area from water surface to seafloor) at different stages of life or in response to changes in ocean temperatures, prey availability, or day/night cycles. Changes to the ocean environment can alter the movement of species in the water column. Climate change poses a major threat to coastal and marine ecosystems through rising sea levels and increased acidity in the ocean. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels cause the oceans to become more acidic, which prevents coral growth and impacts organisms that create calcium carbonate shells and exoskeletons.Studies have found that offshore wind structures can cause varying changes to the hydrodynamics of the water column depending on the local environment (visit Deeper Dive: Ocean Hydrodynamics to read more).  These changes have the potential to alter the productivity of phytoplankton and the distribution of larvae in the water column. However, it is often difficult to determine whether such changes are caused by offshore wind turbines or by the broader effects of climate change. Offshore wind farm infrastructure is located in coastal areas, prompting the review of state agencies via the Coastal Zone Management Act and other regulations. For a summary of the role of federal and state jurisdictions with respect to offshore wind, review this Congressional Research Service summary report.
DA - 2024/04//
PY - 2024
SP - 13
UR - https://offshorewindfacts.org/report/coastal-and-marine-habitats/
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Floating Offshore Wind
KW - Attraction
KW - Changes in Flow
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Ecosystem Processes
KW - Fish
KW - Invertebrates
KW - Physical Environment
KW - Sediment Transport
ER -