Energy development

By:
Edited by: L.L.C. JonesR. L. Lovich, and K.J. Halama

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Abstract

Large areas of the desert southwest are currently developed or being evaluated for construction of utility-scale renewable energy projects. These projects include numerous solar and wind energy facilities some of which will be massive. Unfortunately, peer-reviewed scientific publications are not yet available to evaluate the potential effects of solar-based utility-scale renewable energy development (USRED) on any species of wildlife, including amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna). Scientific publications on the effects of wind-based USRED and operation (USREDO) are focused almost exclusively on flying wildlife including birds and bats. To the best of our knowledge the only publications on the effects of wind-based USREDO on herpetofauna are three publications on desert tortoise ecology at a wind energy facility near Palm Springs, California. Those studies suggested that not all effects of USREDO were detrimental in the short-term. However, additional research is required to determine if wind energy operation is compatible with conservation of this long-lived species over longer periods of time.
Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Energy development
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Contributing office(s) Southwest Biological Science Center
Description 4 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Habitat management guidelines for reptiles and amphibians of the southwestern United States
First page 31
Last page 34
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