Summary of Bats and Land-Based Wind Energy Development in the United States and Canada

Hoary Bat

Deployment of wind energy over the past 20 years has increased renewable energy generation, but also raised concerns regarding the impact of wind turbine collisions on certain bat species (Friedenberg and Frick 2021). In 2012, the estimated number of bat fatalities from wind energy development in the United States and Canada ranged from 196,190 to 395,886 (Arnett and Baerwald 2013). The installed capacity across the two countries at the time was approximately 66,000 megawatts. Since then, the installed capacity of wind energy has more than doubled (Rand et al. 2020); therefore, the number of annual bat fatalities has likely increased as well.

A total of 22 species of bats have been reported as fatalities at wind energy facilities in the United States and Canada (American Wind Wildlife Institute 2020). Migratory tree-roosting species, including the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), and silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), constitute approximately 72% of bat carcasses reported, but other species, such as the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), can make up a significant portion of fatalities in the southern United States (Arnett and Baerwald 2013; Zimmerling and Francis 2016; American Wind Wildlife Institute 2020; Weaver et al. 2020). Wind turbines are also known to cause fatalities of federally endangered species including the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), northeastern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus), but occurrences are relatively rare (Erickson et al. 2016; Gorresen et al. 2020). Differences in behavior, abundance, and other factors likely contribute to the variability in fatality rates among bat species.

Data on relative age and sex of individual carcasses is inconclusive as it is difficult to determine this information from many of the carcasses that are recovered during searches (Korstian et al. 2013; Nelson et al. 2018; Chipps et al. 2020). The lack of demographic data for many bat species makes it difficult to assess the potential population-level impacts of wind turbines. Given that many species have a small population and slow growth rate, it has become increasingly important to better understand the long-term impact of wind energy on certain species of bats (Barclay and Harder 2003; Kunz et al. 2007; Russell et al. 2014; Frick et al. 2017; Friedenberg and Frick 2021).

    The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

    Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
    Effects of Acoustic Deterrents on Foraging Bats Johnson, J., Ford, W., Rodrigue, J., Edwards, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    South African Good Practice Guidelines for Surveying Bats in Wind Farm Developments Sowler, S., Stoffberg, S. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Have we all gone batty? The need for a better balance between the conservation of protected species and the development of clean renewable energy Householder, L. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Human Dimensions
    Avian and Bat Protection Plan: AWA Goodhue Wind Project Westwood Professional Services Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
    Enhancing Carcass Removal Trials at Three Wind Energy Facilities in Portugal Bernardino, J., Bispo, R., Torres, P., Rebelo, R., Mascarenhas, M., Costa, H. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Bats
    Additional Evidence for Barotrauma as a Cause of Bat Mortality at Wind Farms Brownlee, S., Whidden, H. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Stable Isotope Analyses of Bat Fur: Applications for Investigating North American Bat Migration Fraser, E. Thesis Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change Bats
    Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Ultrasonic Acoustic Deterrent in Reducing Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities - Final Report Arnett, E., Hein, C., Schirmacher, M., Baker, M., Huso, M., Szewczak, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision Bats
    A new method to determine bird and bat fatality at wind energy turbines from carcass searches Korner-Nievergelt, F., Korner-Nievergelt, P., Behr, O., Niermann, I., Hellriegel, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Birds, Bats
    Greening the Wind: Environmental and Social Considerations for Wind Power Development Ledec, G., Rapp, K., Aiello, R. Book Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Social & Economic Data, Human Dimensions, Ecosystem Processes, Birds, Bats
    Multi-Year Acoustic Monitoring of Bats at the Maple Ridge Wind Project New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Using echolocation monitoring to model bat occupancy and inform mitigations at wind energy facilities Weller, T., Baldwin, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Bats
    Bat Fatality Monitoring Report for the Pigeon Creek Wind Turbine Dewitt, S. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    Investigating the Causes of Death for Wind Turbine-Associated Bat Fatalities Grodsky, S., Behr, M., Gendler, A., Drake, D., Dieterle, B., Rudd, R., Walrath, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    Patterns of Pre-Construction Bat Acoustic Activity at the Proposed Resolute Wind Energy Project, Wyoming, 2009-2010 Hein, C., Schirmacher, M., Arnett, E., Huso, M. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Assessing Bird and Bat Mortality at the Forward Energy Center Grodsky, S., Drake, D. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
    Ultrasonic noise emissions from wind turbines: Potential effects on bat species Long, C., Lepper, P., Flint, J. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Noise Bats
    Using Stakeholder Input to Develop a Comparative Risk Assessment for Wildlife from the Life Cycles of Six Electrical Generation Fuels Zillioux, E., Newman, J., Lampman, G., Watson, M., Newman, C. Book Chapter Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Stakeholder Engagement, Life Cycle Assessment, Human Dimensions, Birds, Bats
    Patterns of activity and fatality of migratory bats at a wind energy facility in Alberta, Canada Baerwald, E., Barclay, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Bats
    Sveti Nikola Wind Farm 2010 Bat Surveys Report RSK Group Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Seasonal and Geographic Trends in Acoustic Detection of Tree-Roosting Bats Johnson, J., Watrous, K., Giumarro, G., Petersen, T., Boyden, S., Lacki, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Comprehensive Guide to Studying Wind Energy Wildlife Interactions Strickland, D., Arnett, E., Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Morrison, M., Shaffer, J., Warren-Hicks, W. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds
    Wind turbines as landscape impediments to the migratory connectivity of bats Cryan, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Collision Bats
    Impact of wind speed on the activity of bats - at the coast and inland Bach, P., Niermann, I., Bach, L. Presentation Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Pattern of bat fatalities at wind turbines in Europe: comparing north and south Dubourg-Savage, M., Rodrigues, L., Santos, H., Georgiakakis, P., Papadatou, E., Bach, L., Rydell, J. Presentation Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Patterns of Pre-Construction Bat Activity at the Proposed Hoosac Wind Energy Project, Massachusetts, 2006-2007 Hein, C., Arnett, E., Schirmacher, M., Huso, M., Reynolds, D. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Avian, Bat and Habitat Cumulative Impacts Associated with Wind Energy Development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion Of Eastern Washington and Oregon 2011 Johnson, G., Erickson, W. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Raptors
    Klondike IIIa (Phase 2) Wind Power Project Wildlife Monitoring Year One Summary August 2008–August 2010 Gritski, B., Downes, S., Kronner, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
    Insect Attraction to Wind Turbines: Does Colour Play a Role? Long, C., Flint, J., Lepper, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction Invertebrates, Birds, Bats
    An Assessment of the Bat Fauna at the Hepburn Community Wind Farm, Leonards Hill, Victoria Richards, G. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Collision Bats
    NedPower Mount Storm Wind Energy Facility Post-Construction Avian and Bat Monitoring Young, D. Jr., Nomani, S., Tidhar, W., Bay, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds
    Post-Construction Bird and Bat Mortality Study: Cedar Ridge Wind Farm, Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin BHE Environmental Inc Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
    Bat Monitoring Studies at the Fowler Ridge Wind Energy Facility Benton County, Indiana: April 13 – October 15, 2010 Good, R., Erickson, W., Merrill, A., Simon, S., Murray, K., Bay, K., Fritchman, C. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Year 1 Post-construction Avian and Bat Monitoring Report: Biglow Canyon Wind Farm Phase II Sherman County, Oregon Enk, T., Bay, K., Sonnenberg, M., Flaig, J., Boehrs, J., Palochak, A. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
    Patterns of Acoustical Activity of Bats Prior to and Following White-Nose Syndrome Occurrence Ford, W., Britzke, E., Dobony, C., Rodrigue, J., Johnson, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Bat Mortality and Activity at a Northern Iowa Wind Resource Area Jain, A., Koford, R., Hancock, A., Zenner, G. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Avoidance, Attraction Bats
    Post construction monitoring of wind farms: First records of direct impact on bats in Italy Ferri, V., Locasciulli, O., Soccini, C., Forlizzi, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    Patterns of Bird and Bat Fatality at the Locust Ridge II Wind Farm, Pennsylvania Arnett, E., Schirmacher, M., Hein, C., Bat Conservation International, Huso, M. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
    Mortality of Bats at Wind Turbines Links to Nocturnal Insect Migration? Rydell, J., Bach, L., Dubourg-Savage, M., Green, M., Rodrigues, L., Hedenstrom, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    Avian and Bat Risk Assessment for the Montezuma II Wind Project, Solano County, California ICF International Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds
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