Modelling power-line collision risk for the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus in South Africa
Mortality caused by collision or electrocution on power lines is a well-known conservation problem for many bird species, and can be a significant source of unnatural mortality for species with limited distributions or small populations. As more bird species become vulnerable because of habitat loss and other factors, the expansion of power distribution networks increases the severity of power-line mortality. The collision risk posed by power lines is often localized where biological (e.g. vision, flight behaviour, age and sex), topographical (e.g. land use, prevailing wind conditions), meteorological (e.g. strong winds, fog) and technical (e.g. power line design, power line grouping) factors interact. Collision mortality is species-specific, particularly affecting birds such as cranes (family Gruidae) that are characterized by high wing loading and a low aspect ratio, resulting in rapid flight and low manoeuvrability. Keywords: Anthropoides paradiseus, collision mortality, GIS, power line, Western Cape.
Ibis
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Modelling power line collision risk for the Blue Crane.pdf | 398.53 KB |