Impacts of Renewable Energy Sources on Biological Diversity and Conservation, An Overview

Abstract

Abstract: Renewable energy is now seen as a clean and alternative energy source. This research aims to illustrate how the biological variety of both terrestrial and aquatic animal ecosystems is affected by renewable energy sources including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind farms, and hydropower generation. Bird death rates vary from 0.0 to 2.0 fatalities/turbine/year in 55% of the prior studies that have been conducted on wind farm turbines, while 79.4% of the examined mortality rates for raptors range from 0.0 to 0.1 fatalities/turbine/year. This depends on where and how the turbine is installed. Grassland birds (common quail, com crake, lapwing, ringed plover), migratory birds (migrant goose, crane, lapwing, golden plover), water birds (geese species), and raptors (common buzzard, common kestrel, and red kite) are the most often cited threats. At various wind farms, bat mortality rates vary from 0.0 to 47.5 deaths per turbine annually. The study also examines the negative consequences of PV facilities on wildlife and ecosystems, as well as the detrimental effects of hydroelectric reservoirs on biodiversity, including freshwater turtles and aquatic and terrestrial animals. Nonetheless, these effects were reflected in the loss of habitats and the wildlife creatures' regular migration routes.