Short Science Summary: Offshore Wind Farms as Stepping Stones for Non-indigenous Species

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One of the most important effects of offshore wind farms is the unintentional provision of a new habitat which invariably is rapidly colonized by hard substrate species. Turbine foundations provide hard vertical substrates and, depending on the structure and scour protection used, varying degrees of habitat complexity. These novel surfaces span the full water column from the splash zone to the seafloor, often in areas where comparable natural hard surfaces are absent. Non-indigenous species (NIS) are species that did not occur in a particular geographic region, such as the North Sea, prior to a certain date (e.g., the beginning of the 17th century). They consist of species introduced by human activities outside their natural past or present range (introduced species), and species that spread by their own means (range expanding species) due to rising temperatures or other factors. As ocean sprawl in shallow and coastal waters has favored NIS, there is concern that increasing development of offshore wind farms will accelerate this phenomenon. This summary represents a general overview of the research, produced by WREN under IEA Wind. 

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The table below contains the literature relevant to offshore wind energy and habitat change, and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
An indicator for assessing the status of marine-bird habitats affected by multiple human activities: A novel statistical approach Mercker, M., Dierschke, V., Camphuysen, K., Kreutle, A., Markones, N., Vanermen, N., Garthe, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Birds, Fish, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Marine Spatial Planning
Comparison of Environmental Effects from Different Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations (2021 Revision) Horwath, S., Hassrick, J., Grismala, R., Diller, E., Krebs, J., Manhard, R. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
Draft Preliminary Environmental Assessment: Vandenberg Offshore Wind Energy Projects California State Lands Commission Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Visual Impacts
Bird Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Cook, A., Williams, K., Jenkins, E., Gulka, J., Liner, J. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Birds
Marine Mammals Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Southall, B., Morse, L., Williams, K., Jenkins, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Marine Mammals
Sea Turtle Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Gitschlag, G., Perry, R., Williams, K., Jenkins, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Reptiles
Benthos Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Degraer, S., Hutchison, Z., LoBue, C., Williams, K., Gulka, J., Jenkins, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
Modeling Small Scale Impacts of Multi-Purpose Platforms: An Ecosystem Approach Serpetti, N., Benjamins, S., Brain, S., Collu, M., Harvey, B., Heymans, J., Hughes, A., Risch, D., Rosinski, S., Waggitt, J., Wilson, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance: A state-of-the-art review Ren, Z., Verma, A., Li, Y., Teuwen, J., Jiang, Z. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Marine Spatial Planning
Environmental impacts of offshore wind installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities: A case study of Brazil Hernández Carrascal, O., Shadman, M., Amiri, M., Silva, C., Estefen, S., La Rovere, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals
The Maritime Environment Impact Assessment of Offshore Floating Wind Power in Ulsan - A Focus on Habitat Equivalence Analysis Choi, S-Y., Moon, B-S., Kim, T-G. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Working Group on Marine Benthal and Renewable Energy Developments (WGMBRED) International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Potential environmental effects of deepwater floating offshore wind energy facilities Farr, H., Ruttenberg, B., Walter, R., Wang, Y-H., White, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Collision, EMF, Entrapment, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy on Seafood Sectors: A Macroeconomic Perspective of the Energy-Food Nexus Qu, Y. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Social & Economic Data
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
State of the Science Workshop on Offshore Wind and Wildlife 2020: Cumulative Impacts NYSERDA Presentation Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
Spatial and temporal analysis of cumulative environmental effects of offshore wind farms in the North Sea basin Gusatu, L., Menegon, S., Depellegrin, D., Zuidema, C., Faaij, A., Yamu, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Chemicals, Displacement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
Evaluating receiver contributions to acoustic positional telemetry: a case study on Atlantic cod around wind turbines in the North Sea van der Knaap, I., Slabbekoorn, H., Winter, H., Moens, T., Reubens, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change Fish, Pelagic Fish
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
Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project: Final Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Drivers of European bat population change: a review reveals evidence gaps Browning, E., Barlow, K., Burns, F., Hawkins, C., Boughey, K. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Bats, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Integrating Social and Ecological Research on the Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms in North America ten Brink, T., Dalton, T., Livermore, J. Book Chapter Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change Fish, Invertebrates, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Social & Economic Data
A Multi-Criteria Approach to Evaluate Floating Offshore Wind Farms Siting in the Canary Islands (Spain) Díaz, H., Soares, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Exploring the role of offshore wind in restoring priority marine habitats Robertson, M., Locke, S., Uttley, M., Helmer, L., Kean-Hammerson, J. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Invertebrates
Setting the Context for Offshore Wind Development Effects on Fish and Fisheries Gill, A., Degraer, S., Lipsky, A., Mavraki, N., Methratta, E., Brabant, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
Effects of the Block Island Wind Farm on Coastal Resources: Lessons Learned Carey, D., Wilber, D., Read, L., Guarinello, M., Griffin, M., Sabo, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Recreation & Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement
Offshore Wind Farm Artificial Reefs Affect Ecosystem Structure and Functioning: A Synthesis Degraer, S., Carey, D., Coolen, J., Hutchison, Z., Kerckhof, F., Rumes, B., Vanaverbeke, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates
Offshore Wind Energy and Benthic Habitat Changes: Lessons from Block Island Wind Farm Hutchison, Z., Bartley, M., Degraer, S., English, P., Khan, A., Livermore, J., Rumes, B., King, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates
Considerations for Offshore Wind Energy Development Effects on Fish and Fisheries in the United States: A Review of Existing Studies, New Efforts, and Opportunities for Innovation Perry, R., Heyman, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Fisheries
A spatial food web model to investigate potential spillover effects of a fishery closure in an offshore wind farm Halouani, G., Villanueva, C-M., Raoux, A., Dauvin, J., Lasram, F., Foucher, E., Loc'h, F., Safi, G., Araignous, E., Robin, J., Niquil, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Fish, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Effects of offshore windfarms on seabird abundance: Strong effects in spring and in the breeding season Peschko, V., Mendel, B., Müller, S., Markones, N., Mercker, M., Garthe, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
An integrated GIS approach for site selection of floating offshore wind farms in the Atlantic continental European coastline Díaz, H., Soares, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Enabling Renewable Energy While Protecting Wildlife: An Ecological Risk-Based Approach to Wind Energy Development Using Ecosystem-Based Management Values Copping, A., Gorton, A., May, R., Bennet, F., DeGeorge, E., Goncalves, M., Rumes, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
Cumulative effects of marine renewable energy and climate change on ecosystem properties: Sensitivity of ecological network analysis Noguès, Q., Raoux, A., Araignous, E., Chaalali, A., Hattab, T., Leroy, B., Lasram, F., David, V., Loc'h, F., Dauvin, J., Niquil, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Fish, Human Dimensions, Climate Change
Synthesis of the Science Workshop: Day 1 Summary Consensus Building Institute Workshop Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Existing Conditions and Potential Environmental Effects HT Harvey and Associates Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Avoidance, Collision, EMF, Entrapment, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Terrestrial Mammals
Stakeholder Workshop: Scientific Research Framework to Understand the Effects of Offshore Wind Energy Development on Birds and Bats in the Eastern United States NYSERDA Workshop Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
Multi-modal Approach for Benthic Impact Assessments in Moraine Habitats: a Case Study at the Block Island Wind Farm Guarinello, M., Carey, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Physical Environment
Comparison of Environmental Effects from Different Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations Horwath, S., Hassrick, J., Grismala, R., Diller, E. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
On the food-web ecology of offshore wind farms, the kingdom of suspension feeders Mavraki, N. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates
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