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
    Assessment of Bat Community Structure and Roosting Habitat Preferences for the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) Near Foote Creek Rim, Wyoming Gruver, J. Thesis Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
    Synthesis and Comparison of Baseline Avian and Bat Use, Raptor Nesting and Mortality Information from Proposed and Existing Wind Developments Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Young, D., Strickland, D., Good, R., Bourassa, M., Bay, K., Sernka, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Birds, Bats
    Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats in Northeastern Wisconsin Howe, R., Evans, W., Wolf, A. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds, Passerines, Raptors, Seabirds, Shorebirds
    Avian/Wind Turbine Interactions: A Short Summary of Research Results and Remaining Questions National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
    Ecological Baseline Study for the Zintel Canyon Wind Project Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Bay, K., Konner, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds, Raptors
    Baseline Ecological Studies for the Klondike Wind Project, Sherman County, Oregon Johnson, G., Erickson, W., Bay, K., Kronner, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Raptors, Birds, Bats
    Phase I Avian Risk Assessment for the Flat Rock Wind Power Project, Lewis County, New York Kerlinger, P. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Birds, Bats
    Status of Avian Research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Sinclair, K. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
    Proceedings of the National Avian - Wind Power Planning Meeting IV NWCC Avian Subcommittee Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Raptors
    Final Report: Wind-turbine related bat mortality in southwestern Minnesota Krenz, J., McMillan, B. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Avian Monitoring Studies at the Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota Wind Resource Area: Results of a 4-Year Study Johnson, G., Erickson, W., Strickland, M., Shepherd, M., Shepherd, D. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Raptors
    Wildlife Monitoring Studies: SeaWest Windpower Project, Carbon County, Wyoming: 1995-1999 Johnson, G., Young, D. Jr., Erickson, W., Derby, C., Strickland, D., Good, R. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Shorebirds, Raptors, Birds, Bats
    Avian and Bat Mortality Associated with the Vansycle Wind Project, Umatilla County, Oregon 1999 Study Year Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Strickland, M., Kronner, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds, Passerines, Raptors
    Final Report: avian and bat mortality associated with the Vansycle wind project Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Strickland, M., Kronner, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats, Birds
    Bat Collisions with Wind Turbines in Southwestern Minnesota Osborn, R., Higgins, K., Dieter, C., Usgaard, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Bats
    Monitoring of Seasonal Bird Activity and Mortality on Unit 2 at the Buffalo Ridge Windplant, Minnesota Higgins, K., Dieter, C., Usgaard, R. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Birds, Bats
    Wind Power and the Local Environment - No Free Lunches Plowden, B. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
    Displaying 641 - 657 of 657 results