1.Department of Applied Biology,Estación Biológica deDo?ana (CSIC),Seville,Spain
Abstract:
Wind farms have shown a spectacular growth during the last 10 years. As far as we know, this study is the first where the
relationship between wind power and birds and small mammals have been considered. Before–after control impact (BACI) study
design to birds and Impact Gradient (IG) study design to small mammals to test the null hypothesis of no impact of a wind
farm were used. In the BACI model Windfarm Area and a Reference Area were considered. Distance from turbines was considered
in the IG model. Windfarm installations did not clearly affect bird and small mammal populations. Flight height of nesting
and no nesting birds did not show a clear tendency. Small mammals populations suffered high variations in numbers through
times by intrinsic population factors. There are many practical problems of detection of human influence on abundances of
populations so sampling in the long run can be suggested.