Potential Effects of Wind Potential Effects of Wind Energy - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Potential Effects of Wind Potential Effects of Wind Energy Development on the Lesser Prairie-Chicken

Michael A. Patten Michael A. Patten

University of Oklahoma University of Oklahoma Oklahoma Biological Survey, h Sutton Avian Research Center, and Department of Zoology

The Lesser Prairie-Chicken The Lesser Prairie Chicken

Vital Statistics Vital Statistics

• endemic to shortgrass

g prairie of the south-central United States l k l

• lek mating system: males

gather at communal displays to attract females

• total world population

numbers 10,000–20,000

• population has declined

by >90% in the past century

Wind Farms Wind Farms

Highways and Power Lines Highways and Power Lines

Trapping and Tracking Trapping and Tracking

Avoidance of Power Lines Avoidance of Power Lines

Avoidance of Highways Avoidance of Highways

Power Lines Power Lines

Avoidance Avoidance

< 100 m < 100 m 100–500 m 100–500 m

Lesser Prairie-Ch Lesser Prairie-Chicken icken transmission line 6 (88–129) 156 156 (398–471) Highway 412 24 24 (25–48) 182 (125–165) H h ( ) 66 66 ( 6 6 ) Highway 283 20 20 (135–181) 166 66 (586–674) Greater Prairie-Ch Greater Prairie-Chicken icken t i i li 0 (16 35) 5 (83 121) transmission line 0 (16–35) 5 (83–121) no evidence of avoidance > 500 m from any feature

Avoidance (nests) Avoidance (nests)

improved road center-pivot wellhead building unimproved road tranmission line wellhead transmission line

• meters

500 1000 1500 2000

Avoidance – another look Avoidance another look

b ildi transmission line improved road roads (any type) building center pivot irrigator unimproved road improved road

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

• il or gas wellhead

center-pivot irrigator

nests birds

• meters (±SE)

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

Fence Collisions Fence Collisions

New Mexico females New Mexico males

collision raptor raptor mammal

Oklahoma females Oklahoma males

Conclusions Conclusions

• prairie-chickens avoid tall structures (power lines)
• prairie-chickens avoid busy roads
• prairie-chickens avoid buildings

p g

• avoidance tends to be on the order of 500 m
• Lesser Prairie Chickens tend not to nest near
• Lesser Prairie-Chickens tend not to nest near

anthropogenic features

• Lesser Prairie-Chickens are prone to collide with

Lesser Prairie Chickens are prone to collide with fences

• a combination of roads, tall structures, and fences

will further diminish already low populations

Potential Impacts Potential Impacts

A Final Thought A Final Thought

The Lesser Prairie-Chicken has The Lesser Prairie Chicken has never been found anywhere but in the United States. . . . United States. . . . If the species disappears, if we lose it f h h bl forever, then we have no one to blame but ourselves. Only foresight and wise stewardship will ensure that the species is safe. will ensure that the species is safe.

Thank You Thank You