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Researchers warn of ‘urgent’ need to understand impact of windfarms on precious peatlands 

Credit:  23 March 2023 | Nottingham Trent University | ntu.ac.uk ~~

Environmental scientists at Nottingham Trent University have for the first time mapped the extent of known windfarm infrastructures, such as wind turbines and vehicle tracks, on recognised blanket bogs in Europe.

Blanket bogs – a rare type of peatland commonly found in areas with lots of rain and low temperatures – are typically found on hill summits where wind energy potential is higher, making them attractive sites for windfarm developments.

They have a range of beneficial ecosystem services, improving water quality and water storage and biodiversity. However, a large proportion of blanket bogs, are already in an unfavourable condition according to the EU Habitats Directive reports.

The study revealed more than 640 wind turbines on blanket bogs across the European Union and the UK, as well as more than 250km of vehicle access tracks.

Peatland environments are the Earth’s largest terrestrial carbon store and act as a natural carbon sink when in pristine condition or restored, helping to mitigate climate change. While their habitat covers less than 3% of the planet’s land surface, peatlands represent more than a quarter of all terrestrial carbon.

Blanket bogs have been compromised by anthropogenic pressures such as peat extraction for fuel and horticulture, forestry, overgrazing, drainage, burning for recreational activities, and human infrastructures for centuries.

Windfarm developments are a modern threat to these ecosystems, with their installation on blanket bogs posing particular threats to peatland hydrology, ground level climatic conditions, habitat biodiversity, and carbon storage.

The Nottingham Trent University researchers argue that, while the promotion of renewable energy is a priority, establishing windfarms on peatland in pursuit of greener energy might actually be undermining the green energy transition.

The study assessed the extent of windfarm developments on blanket bogs recognised under the EU’s Habitats Directive. This directive ensures the conservation of a wide range of rare, threatened or endemic animal and plant species.

This Directive requires each member state to report the conservation status of this habitat every six years and, when necessary, encourage and implement restoration actions to improve quality and conservation status.
Lead researcher Dr Guaduneth Chico explains more about the study

“Our research reports for the first time the current known extent of windfarm developments on blanket bogs across the EU and UK,” said lead researcher Dr Guaduneth Chico, a scientist in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

He said: “The potential long-term damage to this habitat is still unclear, but evidence supports negative impacts of windfarm developments on this critical habitat. Blanket bogs represent a particularly vulnerable habitat, the study of which should be prioritised with the aim of protecting and restoring by reviewing the national inventories of this habitat across Europe.

“Several unrecognised blanket bogs have also been identified across the EU recently, highlighting the lack of understanding and consequently adequate protection of this important habitat. This study was not able to consider these, and so it is possible the problems we identify are worse than we have been able to consider here”

“There is an urgent need to assess the impacts of windfarms on peatlands of all types to ensure that efforts to meet energy targets do not jeopardise the environment.”

In Europe, the most important and extensive blanket bogs are found in the British Isles with some occurrence in Norway, France, Austria, Sweden, Spain and Portugal (Azores Islands).

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, also involved the Institute of Agricultural Biodiversity and Rural Development from Campus Terra of University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Loughborough University.

Source:  23 March 2023 | Nottingham Trent University | ntu.ac.uk

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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