Project name: Environmental Impact Assessment and Implementation of regulative environmental protection measures towards fauna, flora, forest ecosystems and noise protection for wind farm Jelinak
Client: EURUS Ltd.
Period: 06/2006 – 01/2009; 02/2012 – 09/2014
Location: Croatia
The project included environmental, as well as bird fauna field research, on the location of planned construction of wind farm.
The project goal was consulting, monitoring and implementation of environmental protection measures at WF Jelinak.
Before the operation of WF Jelinak, the following activities were conducted in 2012: one year of bat and bird baseline survey, biospeleological surveillance during construction, locating and mapping of habitat patches for 2 endangered plant species (Orchis provincialis, Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis), consulting during construction concerning landscape, forestry and game (hunting) management.
Bird and bat baseline survey (02/2012-03/2013) included gathering of information on species composition, bird and bat activity, potential nesting and roosting sites, analysis of habitat types of the wider area, foraging areas and potential migration routes, habitat use, terrain morphology, spatial characteristics and other data.
During the first 1.5 years of operational phase (03/2013-09/2014) monitoring of impacts of WF on birds and bats was conducted, which included activity monitoring, as well as mortality monitoring to assess the possible need for mitigation measures and further monitoring.
Main activities amongst others were:
- Habitat mapping was conducted for 2 endangered plant species (Orchis provincialis, Fritillaria messanensis gracilis)
- Biospeleological surveillance during construction
- Produce graphics, maps, sketches and photo documentation
- Baseline study of birds and bats before operation of WF Jelinak (02/2012-03/2013)
- Post-construction activity and mortality monitoring for birds and bats (03/2013-09/2014)
Mortality monitoring included:
- Mapping of search plots in a 70 m buffer radius around each wind turbine
- Searching for bat and bird fatalities in a 70 m buffer radius around each wind turbine
- Surveys to determine carcass removal rate
Services provided:
- Ornithofauna monitoring
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Implementation of environmental protection measures prior and during construction and WF operation
- Consulting concerning landscape, forestry and game (hunting) management during construction
- Mortality rate analysis
Photo: www.vjetroelektranajelinak.com