Research

AWWI’s Research Initiative focuses on scientific, peer-reviewed research used to better inform wind energy stakeholders and decision-makers about the potential impacts of wind energy on wildlife and wildlife habitat. The goal is to enable developers, wildlife agencies and other stakeholders to work with a consistent knowledge base and set of appropriate technical questions to assess a given project location. AWWI is committed to the highest academic standards and therefore intends to seat a Scientific Advisory Committee to administer independent oversight of its Research Initiative.

AWWI intends to address a long-standing issue for wind energy stakeholders by developing a data repository that will be invaluable to researchers working with stakeholders by enabling a better understanding of regional wildlife attributes and better characterizing wind energy impacts. The repository is envisioned to facilitate the use of project assessment data for regional-scale research questions while fully addressing the proprietary concerns of project proponents.

A key element in all AWWI research is to understand the link between wind energy development and responses by wildlife and the functions of their habitat. Examples of potential AWWI research include:

• Correlations of pre-construction wildlife surveys and post-construction wildlife monitoring
• Estimating spatial displacement of grassland species
• Investigating causes of bat fatalities and identifying mitigation options
• Evaluating potential effects on migrating birds
• Conducting fatality studies in conjunction with exposure estimates