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1/5 #WBTC1 #MoveEco1 Part of my PhD in @EEOBatOSU with @GibbsLabOSU and @bryanccarstens on #bats. While wind energy (WE) is beneficial, we need to consider its impact on wildlife like bats. We explored the interplay of seasonality, movement and WE using distribution models.
2/5 #WBTC1 #MoveEco1 To accomplish this, we used @GBIF data for 3 species of bats (L. borealis, L. cinereus, L. noctivagans) and modeled SDM using an ensemble approach, allowing us to track seasonal movements, compare suitability at WE locations, and model migration corridors.
3/5 #WBTC1 #MoveEco1 We found strong seasonal patterns that reinforce the migration of these species and that suitability at WE peaks when most bat mortality occurs, and grounded this with kill data from a wind farm in the US. And we predicted how this will change into the future
4/5 #WBTC1 #MoveEco1 Additionally, using our SDM, occurrences and a LCP analysis, we predicted migratory pathways across the US and looked at the relationship with WE locations. Depending on species, different pathways are proposed, but see many pathways where WE are currently
5/5 #WBTC1 #MoveEco1 Our results can be used to mitigate bats killed at WE by predicting how many bats will die at future WE (with more data) and allowing us to avoid pathways. At current sites by informing a more targeted smart curtailment during seasons/areas of high mortality
