Ecosystem Processes

The physical, chemical, and biological processes that link organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem processes are the physical, chemical, and biological processes that link organisms and their environment. These may include biogeochemical/nutrient cycling, energy flow, and food web dynamics. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. It can be broken down further into categories such as an aquatic ecosystem which involves a body of water, or even further to marine ecosystem or freshwater ecosystem.

Organisms feed off one another in a balanced food chain, but small changes to the seascape may significantly impact the existing balance. By just impacting one population, the effects may propagate to all other species in the area, potentially leading to overpopulation, decimation, habitat changes, changes in the nutrient cycle, energy flow, resource availability, etc. As offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices enter the water, any stressor could alter the flow of energy or physical environment enough to upset the balance of the ecosystem. However, the particular concerns are changes in flow and impacts on water quality.

Photo Credit: NOAA

Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents Related to Ecosystem Processes

Total results: 464
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Case-dependent impacts of offshore wind farms on ecosystems: A systematic review and meta-analysis Thomassen, J., Brown, E., Henriksen, O. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Offshore wind turbines constitute benthic secondary production hotspots on and around constructions Dannheim, J., Beermann, J., Coolen, J. Journal Article Wind Energy Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
Towards an ecosystem approach to a simulated floating wind farm combined with climate change in the Bay of Biscay (France) Merchand, M., Lasram, F., Araignous, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish
Ecological impacts of floating offshore wind on marine mammals and associated trophic interactions: current evidence and knowledge gaps Harris, C., Benjamins, S., Scott, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Noise, Vessel Strike Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals
An ecological risk assessment for the impacts of offshore wind farms on sharks and rays in Australia Werry, J., Meager, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Physical Environment, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Offshore wave energy converter array poses threat to coasts causing significant rip currents Cao, X., Shi, J., Zheng, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wave Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
Preventing scour at offshore monopile foundation using artificial reefs: Hydrodynamic processes and scour reduction Gao, Y., Chen, J., Lei, Y. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport
Offshore Wind Impact on Oceanographic Processes: North Carolina to New York, Volume 1 - RPS Georgas, N., Garavelli, L., Codiga, D. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Does the oceanographic response to wind farm wind-wakes affect the spring phytoplankton bloom? Zampollo, A., Murray, R., Gallego, A. Journal Article Wind Energy Changes in Flow Ecosystem Processes
Science priorities to evaluate the effects of offshore wind energy development on fish and fisheries in the Gulf of America Sura, S. , Czaja, R., Brugnone,N. Journal Article Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning, Recreation & Tourism
Offshore wind farms modify coastal food web dynamics by enhancing suspension feeder pathways De Borger, E., Van Oevelen, D., Mavraki, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates
Marine Renewable Energy: An Introduction to Environmental Effects OES-Environmental Summary Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions
Sustainability Assessment of an Oscillating Water Column During the Design, Installation, Operation, and Disassembly Phases Gallego-Ramírez, C., López-Mosquera, J., Chica, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wave Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Navigation, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data, Visual Impacts
Offshore Wind Impact on Oceanographic Processes: North Carolina to New York - DHI Johnson, T., Simpson, E., Bell, M. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Hywind Tampen Floating Offshore Wind - Sound Source Characterisation of Operational Floating Turbines Welch, S., Burns, R., Lumsden, C. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Noise Ecosystem Processes
Impacts of offshore wind farms in the English Channel on larval dispersal and connectivity of benthic species using numerical modeling Ajmi, S., Boutet, M., Bennis, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality
Guidance for Monitoring and Reporting of Underwater Noise Chumbinho, R. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy Noise Ecosystem Processes, Marine Mammals
Zooplankton and offshore wind: Drifters in a sea of uncertainty Saba, G. Magazine Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Physical Environment, Water Quality
Offshore wind farms could impact coastal marine heatwaves in eastern boundary upwelling systems Dalsin, M., Walter, R., Mazzini, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Ecosystem Processes
Supplementary eDNA analyses at the Hywind Tampen FOWF – Enhanced metabarcoding shark and skate detection and additional demersal fish analyses Hestetun, J., Mugu, S., Dahlgren, T. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish
Offshore wind energy: assessing trace element inputs and the risks for co-location of aquaculture Watson, G., Banfield, G. , Watson, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Chemicals Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Effects of Offshore Wind Energy in the Gulf of Mexico: Compilation of Educational Research Briefs [Booklet] Severy, M., Farr, H., Richlen, M. Summary Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Reptiles, Sea Turtles
Floating Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Nielsen, K., Robertson, B., Sierman, J. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Physical Environment, Reptiles, Sea Turtles, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning, Stakeholder Engagement
MASTS ASM 2024 Workshop Proceeding: Tracking Top Predators in Marine Renewable Energy Development Areas Sutherland, J. Marine Energy, Wind Energy Attraction, Chemicals, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Effects of Offshore Wind Farms: Environmental and Social Perspectives from Uruguay Forastiero, M., Gutierrez, R., Weschenfelder, F. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind Ecosystem Processes, Human Dimensions
Marine infrastructure support fewer producers and more filter feeders than natural habitats: a review and meta-analysis McKibbin, O., Verges, A., Pottier, P. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Avoidance & Minimisation of Environmental Impacts from Offshore Wind & Grid Infrastructure Offshore Coalition For Energy & Nature (OCEaN) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Seabirds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning, Stakeholder Engagement
NMFS West Coast Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Science Plan National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
OES-Environmental 2024 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World OES-Environmental Report Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal, Wave Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Reptiles, Sea Turtles, Terrestrial Mammals, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Recreation & Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement
2024 State of the Science Report - Chapter 3: Marine Renewable Energy: Stressor-Receptor Interactions Garavelli, L., Hemery, L., Rose, D. Report Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Reptiles
Evaluating the Impacts of Offshore Wind‬ Development on Marine Ecosystems‬ ‭ King, C. Thesis Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Entanglement, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, Reptiles, Sea Turtles
Musseling through: Mytilus byssal thread production is unaffected by continuous noise Wang, S., Ellrich, J., Beermann, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes
Commercial Wind Lease Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Maine Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), US Department of the Interior (DOI) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Collision, Displacement, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, Physical Environment, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning, Navigation, Recreation & Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement
Modeling the fluid dynamics for the Tanana River Test Site in Alaska: A Comparison of Simulated Data and Field Measurements Alvarado, E., Olson, S., Schuster, J. Presentation Marine Energy, Riverine Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
Hydrodynamics and Ecosystem Linkages Raghukumar, K., van Duren, L., Booth, C. Presentation Wind Energy Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Physical Environment
Lightning Talks Rosenberg, Y., Yanos, C., Courbis, S. Presentation Wind Energy Collision Ecosystem Processes, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Lessons Learned from Efforts to Develop Fisheries and Benthic Monitoring Plans Wilber, D., Murphy, A., Borsetti, S. Presentation Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
Understanding Potential Environmental Impacts with Existing Research California Ocean Science Trust Summary Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Birds, Seabirds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Marine Mammals
Environmental DNA monitoring of fish communities at the Hywind Tampen floating offshore wind farm Hestetun, J., Mayers, K., Mugu, S. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Physical Environment, Water Quality
Opportunities for enhancing biodiversity at wind and solar energy developments Jobson, B., Cook, A., Fletcher, C. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Reptiles, Terrestrial Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
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