Habitat Change

Changes to the physical habitat around the device.

The introduction of wind or marine renewable energy devices to the environment can change the physical habitat. The development of land-based wind farms, for example, typically requires the addition of roads and infrastructure, which can lead to habitat degradation and/or fragmentation. Installation of offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices' associated subsea power cables will likely result in changes to seafloor habitats. The physical presence of one or many devices may cause animals to avoid the area, potentially resulting in loss of foraging, breeding, rearing, or resting habitats. Fish may be attracted to a device to feed on algae or to swim in an eddy, while bats may be attracted to a device to feed on insects that are attracted by the light, both of which may place them at higher risk for collision with dynamic portions of the device. Mooring lines that anchor floating devices to the seafloor could also confuse or entrap large marine animals like whales, causing panic and potential injury or increased predation.

For more information relevant to marine energy, view the Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats Short Science Summary produced by OES-Environmental.

For more information relevant to offshore wind energy, view the Introduction of New Structures: Effects on Fish Ecology and Benthic Disturbance from Foundations, Anchors, & Cables research briefs produced by SEER.

Photo Credit: BALAO-SABELLA

Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents

Tethys is a knowledge hub that contains documents on the environmental effects of wind and marine energy. The table below contains all of the documents in the Tethys Knowledge Base associated with Habitat Change.

Total: 1529

Searches title and abstract.
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Evaluating environmental impacts and public preferences in offshore wind farm decommissioning Stranddorf, L., Ladenburg, J., Rönnblom, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Displacement, Habitat Change Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Life Cycle Assessment, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
Effects of Onshore Wind Energy on Semi-Domesticated Reindeer WREN, Thant, Z., May, R. Summary Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Habitat Change, Noise Terrestrial Mammals, Human Dimensions
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Offshore Energy and Environmental Research Ryu, S., Dempsey, L., Ampela, K. Summary Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Reptiles, Sea Turtles, Human Dimensions
Beyond Local Footprints: Disentangling Large-­Scale Redistribution and Local Abundance Responses to Offshore Wind Farms Mercker, M., Garthe, S., Peschko, V. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds
From sea basins to projects: Process harmonization for better environmental monitoring Offshore Coalition For Energy & Nature (OCEaN) Guidance Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Displacement, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Mapping avian sensitivity to support onshore wind energy development and bird conservation in two European countries Biasotto, L., Serratosa, J., Clark, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds
Fish and Fisheries Offshore Wind Research Gaps Analysis Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Social & Economic Data
Conservation potential of offshore windfarms for epibenthic invertebrates and fish communities in a heavily used regional sea Probst, W., Rehren, J., Kraan, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Fish, Demersal Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Ecological impacts of offshore wind power construction and operation on zooplankton communities in South China sea Peng, Z., Lu, M., Huang, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change, Noise Invertebrates
Spatio-temporal dynamics of fish assemblages at an offshore wind farm and a comparison with mature artificial reefs Shao, K., Chang, C., Chen, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Habitat Change Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Changes in the distribution and abundance of common scoter and diver species in the Horns Rev I, II and III offshore windfarm areas, Denmark, 2025: Bird distribution responses to wind farms, Horns Rev Scott-Hayward, L., Petersen, I.K., Mackenzie, M. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Avoidance, Displacement, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Waterfowl
Mapping benthic biodiversity to facilitate future sustainable development Cooper, K., Thompson, M., Bolam, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
A comprehensive review of geophysical survey techniques for offshore wind farm projects Ayres, C., Neto, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
10 Things to consider before approving another offshore wind farm: A case study for Highland, Scotland Goddijn-Murphy, L. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Human Dimensions
Anticipating potential environmental risks of offshore hydrogen production powered by offshore wind farm Dussauze, M., Wlodarczyk, R., Labed-Veydert, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment, Water Quality
Strategic Compensation Studies: Understanding the scale of opportunity for the removal of infrastructure as a potential strategic compensation measure Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Modelling population-level impacts of wind farm collision risk on Welsh Red Kites: populations functionally linked to two Special Protection Areas Hereward, H., Macgregor, C., Gabb, O. Report Wind Energy Displacement, Habitat Change Birds, Raptors
Summary report of sensitivity analysis (WP2): AssESs - Assessing the extent and significance of uncertainty in offshore wind assessments Butler, A., Matthiopoulos, J., Lorenzo-Arribas, A. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds
Offshore wind farms can enhance the structural composition and functional dynamics of coastal waters Si, L., Xu, L., Wang, Z. Journal Article Attraction, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Physical Environment
Recommendations and Roadmap (WP4): AssESs - Assessing the extent and significance of uncertainty in offshore wind assessments Butler, A., Lorenzo-Arribas, A., Hague, A. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Stakeholder Engagement
Uncertainty and approaches to evaluating uncertainty (WP1): AssESs - Assessing the extent and significance of uncertainty in offshore wind assessments Furness, R.W., Searle, K., Jones, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds
An Oceanography-Based Anticipatory Approach to Monitoring Fisheries and Fishery Resource Impacts From Offshore Wind Farms: A Perspective From the Mid-Atlantic Bight, USA Grothues, T., Adolf, J., Borsetti, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Fish, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries
The Wind of Change: Mapping Wind Energy Growth and Multi-Species Vulnerability in Sardinia, Mediterranean Costantino, C., Cerri, J., Fozzi, I. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change Birds, Raptors
Offshore wind farms and marine protected areas in European waters: Better apart than together Lloret, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
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
The emerging need for ecosystem restoration to mitigate the impacts of onshore wind energy Seifert, S., Graae, B., Hagen, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
The seafloor footprint of offshore wind infrastructure in the United States Ocean Runde, B., Paxton, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
Changes in the distribution and abundance of common scoter and diver species in the Horns Rev I, II and III offshore windfarm areas, Denmark, 2025 Scott-Hayward, L., Petersen, I., Mackenzie, M. Report Wind Energy Habitat Change Birds
Biodiversity biases in research and practice: Lessons from the Irish onshore wind sector King, E., Gorman, C., Stout, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Terrestrial Mammals, Human Dimensions
Misplaced fears? What the evidence reveals of the ecological effects of tidal power generation Ascher, S., Gray, I., Collins, C. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Towards an ecosystem approach to a simulated floating wind farm combined with climate change in the Bay of Biscay (France) Le Marchand, M., Lasram, F., Araignous, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish
Offshore wind turbines constitute benthic secondary production hotspots on and around constructions Dannheim, J., Beermann, J., Coolen, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
One Molecule to Find Them: Using eDNA to Quantify and Assess Marine Biodiversity at Offshore Wind Farms Berger, H. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning
Environmental effects of marine renewable energy off-grid and micro-grid applications: a use case approach to assess existing knowledge and remaining uncertainties Hemery, L., Weicht, L., Copping, A. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Sea Turtles, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning, Navigation, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data, Visual Impacts
CWW 2025 Book of Abstract Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impact Conference Paper Wind Energy Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise, Vessel Strike Bats, Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Physical Environment, Water Quality, Sea Turtles, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Life Cycle Assessment, Marine Spatial Planning, Recreation & Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement
Minimizing environmental risks to progress the marine renewable energy industry Garavelli, L., Rose, D., Freeman, M. Conference Paper Marine Energy Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise
Environmental Risks and Impacts of Offshore Energy: A Literature Review Pontinha, D., Bispo, L., Gervásio, H. Conference Paper Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Impacts of nitrogen-to-phosphorus imbalance from hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion operations on benthic communities and coastal ecosystem management Leng, Q., Yusuff, F., Zhang, W. Journal Article Marine Energy, OTEC Chemicals, Habitat Change Invertebrates
ORJIP BenCH: Benthic habitat changes postconstruction of offshore wind (Final report) Hubble, M., O'Brien, N., Villanueva-Brackley, A. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Habitat Change Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
Future cumulative effects on demersal fish in a transforming North Sea pressure landscape Rehren, J., Kruse, M., Probst, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change, Noise Fish, Demersal Fish
Displaying 1 - 40 of 1529 results