Short Science Summary: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats

Marine Habitat

Potential Environmental Effects on Habitats from Marine Renewable Energy: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats

Most marine renewable energy (MRE) devices must be attached to the seafloor in some way, either by gravity foundations, pilings, or anchors, and many will also have transmission cables on the seabed, and mooring lines, as well as the devices themselves in the water column. Physical changes in benthic and pelagic habitats have the potential to alter where species live and how common they are at a site, and they may lead to habitat loss, provide opportunities for non-native species to become established, alter ecological patterns, modify ecosystem functions and the services the ecosystem provides, and affect the behavior of many marine organisms.

This Short Science Summary was developed based on the OES-Environmental 2020 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World, specifically Chapter 6: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats Caused by Marine Renewable Energy Devices.

The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Environmental impact of renewable energy source based electrical power plants: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, tidal, ocean, and osmotic Rahman, A., Farrok, O., Haque, M. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, Social & Economic Data
Tidal streams, fish, and seabirds: Understanding the linkages between mobile predators, prey, and hydrodynamics Couto, A., Williamson, B., Cornulier, T., Fernandes, P., Fraser, S., Chapman, J., Davies, I., Scott, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Attraction, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Fish
Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in the Tropics: An Overview of MRE Potential in Oaxaca, Mexico Oman, J. Report Marine Energy, Ocean Current, OTEC, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Pelagic Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data
Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Imagery to Characterise Pursuit-Diving Seabird Association With Tidal Stream Hydrodynamic Habitat Features Slingsby, J., Scott, B., Kregting, L., McIlvenny, J., Wilson, J., Yanez, M., Langlois, S., Williamson, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds
Project Summary of Outcomes and Results of Wave Energy in Southern Europe (WESE) Project Bald, J., Uyarra, M., Menchaca, I., Pouso, S., Uriarte, A., Garlsparsoro, I., de Santiago, I., Muxika, I., Simas, T., Vinagre, P., Machado, I., Apolonia, M., Cruz E., Chainho, P., Gonçalvez, J., Enciso, Y., Marina, D., Zubiate, L., Etxaniz, P., de Miguel, B., Madrid, E., Felis, I., Martinez, R., Chambel, J., Moitinho, L., Bartolomeu, S., Santos, H., Galvão, P., Basos, N., Moura, T., Nyman, M., Pech, M. Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Environmental Effects from Wave Power: Artificial Reefs and Incidental No-take Zones Bender, A. Thesis Marine Energy, Wave Attraction, Habitat Change Fish, Invertebrates
Triton Field Trials - Changes in Habitats, a Literature Review of Monitoring Technologies Hemery, L., Mackereth, K., Tugade, L. Report Marine Energy Habitat Change
Triton Field Trials: Promoting Consistent Environmental Monitoring Methodologies for Marine Energy Sites Eaves, S., Staines, G., Harker-Klimes, G., Pinza, M., Geerlofs, S. Journal Article Marine Energy Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions
Use of Our Future Seas: Relevance of Spatial and Temporal Scale for Physical and Biological Indicators Trifonova, N., Scott, B., De Dominicis, M., Wolf, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Buenau, K., Garavelli, L., Hemery, L., Garcia Medina, G. Journal Article Marine Energy, Ocean Current, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
What’s in My Toolkit? A Review of Technologies for Assessing Changes in Habitats Caused by Marine Energy Development Hemery, L., Mackereth, K., Tugade, L. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change
Stressor-Specific Guidance Document: Habitat Change OES-Environmental Report Marine Energy Habitat Change
Biological Consequences of Marine Energy Development on Marine Animals Hemery, L., Copping, A., Overhus, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Seabirds, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Cost Efficiency of Environmental DNA as Compared to Conventional Methods for Biodiversity Monitoring Purposes at Marine Energy Sites Fu, M., Hemery, L., Sather, N. Report Marine Energy, Ocean Current, Tidal, Wave Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data
Environmental Impacts of Tidal and Wave Energy Converters Hutchison, Z., Lieber, L., Miller, R., Williamson, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
Automatic Segregation of Pelagic Habitats Plonus, R-M., Vogl, S., Floeter, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment, Human Dimensions
Are fish in danger? A review of environmental effects of marine renewable energy on fishes Copping, A., Hemery, L., Viehman, H., Seitz, A., Staines, G., Hasselman, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Riverine, Tidal, Wave Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Fish
Moving from scientific research to consenting guidance for MRE environmental risk Copping, A., Rose, D., Freeman, M. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Legal & Policy, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
Retiring environmental risks of marine renewable energy devices: the “habitat change” case Hemery, L., Rose, D., Freeman, M., Copping, A. Conference Paper Marine Energy Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Stakeholder Engagement
Assessment of marine energy-biotopes for Cozumel Island's reefs: A resource for tourism and renewable ocean energy Callejas-Jiménez, M., Alcérreca-Huerta, J., Carrillo, L. Journal Article Marine Energy Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Recreation & Tourism
Marine Evidence packages ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) Website Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment
Sustainable energy planning for remote islands and the waste legacy from renewable energy infrastructure deployment Kouloumpis, V., Yan, X. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Chemicals, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Life Cycle Assessment, Social & Economic Data
Tidal stream use by black guillemots Cepphus grylle in relation to a marine renewable energy development Johnston, D., Furness, R., Robbins, A., Tyler, G., McIlvenny, J., Masden, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds
Working Group on Marine Benthal and Renewable Energy Developments (WGMBRED) ICES Working Group on Marine Renewable Energy (WGMRE) Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
A systemic view of potential environmental impacts of ocean energy production Martinez, M., Vázquez, G., Pérez-Maqueo O. , Silvia, R., Moreno-Casasola, P., Mendoza-González, G., Lopez-Portillo, J., Macgregor-Fors, I., Heckel, G., Hernández-Santana, J., Gracía-Franco, J., Castillo-Campos, G., Lara-Dominguez, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Ocean Current, OTEC, Salinity Gradient, Tidal, Wave Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals
Environmental Assessment of the Impacts and Benefits of a Salinity Gradient Energy Pilot Plant Marin-Coria, E., Silva, R., Enriquez, C., Martinez, M., Mendoza, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, Salinity Gradient Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
Characterisation of the Potential Impacts of Subsea Power Cables Associated with Offshore Renewable Energy Projects Taormina, B., Quillienn, N., Lejart, M., Carlier, A., Desroy, N., Laurans, M., Reynaud, M., Perignon, Y., Erussard, H., Derrien-Courtel, S., Le Gal, A., Derrien, R., Jolivet, A., Chavaud, S., Degret, V., Saffroy, D., Pagot, J., Barillier, A. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates
A critical review on environmental impacts of renewable energy systems and mitigation strategies: Wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal Sayad, E. , Wilberforce, T., Elsaid, K., Rabaia, M., Abdelkareem, M., Chae, K., Olabi, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
An Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Extracting Marine Renewable Energy in the Coastal Environment of the Black Sea Zburlea, L., Rusu, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals
Multi-Disciplinary and Multi-Scale Assessment of Marine Renewable Energy Structure in a Tidal System Raoux, A., Robin, I., Pezy, J., Bennis, A., Dauvin, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates
Application of a multibeam echosounder to document changes in animal movement and behaviour around a tidal turbine structure Williamson, B., Blondel, P., Williamson, L., Scott, B. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Attraction, Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Potential impacts of submarine power cables from marine renewable energy projects on benthic communities Taormina, B. Thesis Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind EMF, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Ocean energy and the environment: Research and strategic actions ETIP Ocean Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
Using benthic macrofaunal assemblages to define habitat types on the northeast pacific sedimentary shelf and slope Henkel, S., Gilbane, L. Journal Article Marine Energy Habitat Change
Potential Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development—The State of the Science Copping, A., Hemery, L., Overhus, D., Garavelli, L., Freeman, M., Whiting, J., Gorton, A., Farr, H., Rose, D., Tugade, L. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning, Social & Economic Data
Acoustic and Benthic Targeted Research Work Groups: Summary of Findings Roberts, J., Peplinski, W., Kramer, S., West, A., Kalil, J., Omar, S., Barr, Z., Jones, C. Report Marine Energy Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment
A Review on Environmental and Social Impacts of Thermal Gradient and Tidal Currents Energy Conversion and Application to the Case of Chiapas, Mexico Rivera, G., Felix, A., Mendoza, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
Renewable energy homes for marine life: Habitat potential of a tidal energy project for benthic megafauna Taormina, B., Laurans, M., Marzloff, M., Dufournaud, N., Lejart, M., Desroy, N., Leroy, D., Martin, S., Carlier, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates
Investigating biophysical linkages at tidal energy candidate sites: a case study for combining environmental assessment and resource characterisation Scherelis, C., Penesis, I., Hemer, M., Cossu, R., Wright, J., Guihen, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Attraction, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Colonisation of wave power foundations by mobile mega- and macrofauna – a 12 year study Bender, A., Langhamer, O., Sundberg, J. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wave Attraction, Habitat Change Fish, Invertebrates
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