BOU Autumn Conference 2012
Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough, UK
26 November 2012
Marine renewable developments are playing an increasing role in the delivery
of clean and secure energy, as governments strive to meet targets to combat
climate change. Within the UK, the government has a
commitment to obtain 15% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020
and the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy, in particular, will
be instrumental in reaching this target. Consequently a number of offshore wind
farms are now operational or are currently under construction and many more
developments are proposed. In addition, there is considerable interest in the
development of “wet renewable” devices, designed to exploit wave and tidal energy
resources.
Large numbers of seabirds, seaduck and other waterbirds, including
those breeding at protected sites may utilise proposed areas for marine
renewable developments. As such, there is concern regarding the potential
impacts of marine renewable projects on bird populations.
Following on from the BOU’s “Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and
birds” conference in 2005, this conference will consolidate our
understanding of the potential impacts that renewable developments may have on birds
in the marine environment by showcasing current research. It will explore
effects ranging from displacement, barrier effects, and collision, to changes
in habitat or prey availability. The conference will review these effects,
present case studies and highlight the importance of being able to understand
the population-level consequences of impacts.
The conference will cover the following topics:
- An overview of marine renewables, their potential impacts on birds and the importance of population-level research;
- Displacement and the use of habitat association studies to evaluate this effect;
- Studies of avoidance behaviour and turbine collision;
- Environmental and prey effects;
- Connectivity between bird features of protected sites and marine renewable developments;
- Population modelling studies.
The conference will be international in scope, though with a particular
emphasis on knowledge gained from northwest Europe.
The conference is aimed at academics, conservation organisations, industry,
statutory government agencies and those engaged in policy, advocacy and
conservation management.
Conference aims:
- To demonstrate how scientific study has informed our understanding of the effects of marine renewable developments on bird populations;
- To provide effective links between research and policy so that advisors and regulators can make informed decisions;
- To highlight knowledge gaps;
- To provide recommendations as to the best way forward in addressing these gaps.
Conference Organising Committee:
Dr Sophy Allen, Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Dr Niall Burton (Chair), British Trust for Ornithology and Chair BOU’s
Meetings Committee
Dr Francis Daunt, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Dr Rowena Langston, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Dr Chris Thaxter, British Trust for Ornithology and the Seabird Group
Dr Stephen Votier, Plymouth University
Andy Webb, HiDef Aerial Surveying Ltd and the Seabird Group
Further details, programme, bookings, etc to follow.
