Meeting Abstract

P3.34  Thursday, Jan. 6  Cause of Bat Mortality at Wind Farms: Barotrauma vs. Collision ROLLINS, K.E.*; MEYERHOLZ, D.K.; JOHNSON, G.D.; CAPPARELLA, A.P.; LOEW, S.S; Illinois State University, Normal; University of Iowa, Iowa City; Western EcoSystems Technology Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming; Illinois State University, Normal; Illinois State University, Normal katierollins86@gmail.com

Wind farms are often considered to be an environmentally friendlier industrial method of energy production than traditional sources, and such facilities are increasing worldwide. However, the wind turbines of many large wind farms in the U.S. cause the death of seemingly large quantities of migrating bats, primarily hoary (Lasiurus cinereus), eastern red (Lasiurus borealis), and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans). Using bats salvaged at a wind farm in Illinois and at a large building (McCormick Place, Chicago, IL), we are testing the two leading hypotheses regarding bat fatalities at wind farms: barotrauma vs. collision. Barotrauma refers to mortality caused by organ damage due solely to entering the low pressure zone of a turning wind turbine blade and collision refers to blunt trauma from physically hitting a moving or stationary structure. We are using histopathology techniques, physical examination, and x-rays to measure lung, eardrum and skeletal damage that can be linked to either barotrauma or collision as the cause of mortality. This project is the first to assess bat mortality using indicators of auditory barotrauma and the second to use histochemical and x-ray techniques as barotrauma vs. collision fatality markers. Determining the cause of bat mortality should facilitate cost-effective changes in the way turbines are designed or operated.