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Black-legged kittiwake population dynamics and drivers of population change in the context of offshore wind development 2020

Abstract

Offshore windfarms are seen as a key part of efforts to combat climate change. However, there are a number of significant concerns about the potential of these windfarms to have a negative impact on wildlife and biodiversity, particularly in relation to birds. This is of particular concern as the scale of offshore windfarm development expands so that the risk of reaching unacceptable levels of cumulative impacts also increases.

This work has been undertaken on behalf of the Offshore Wind Strategic Monitoring and Research Forum (OWSMRF). The report presents a summary of existing evidence, and potential research opportunities, to better understand the population dynamics of black-legged kittiwakes and how their populations might respond to potential additional mortality from offshore windfarm development and conservation management measures. The intention is that this report provides a signpost towards research that can facilitate meaningful and precise cumulative impact assessments, and thus contribute to reducing uncertainty in decision making around offshore windfarm consenting in the next few years.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2020·05·29

Citation
Ruffino L., Thompson, D. & O’Brien, S. 2020. Black-legged kittiwake population dynamics and wider drivers of population change in the context of offshore wind development. JNCC Report No. 651, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This study has been undertaken on behalf of the Offshore Wind Strategic Monitoring and Research Forum (OWSMRF), an industry-led collaborative forum that aims to identify and develop research to fill critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of the impact of offshore wind development on the marine environment.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2020·06·01

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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