Telemetry monitoring of species: from direct observation to remote location

The objective of environmental impact studies (ESia) is to identify, quantify and mitigate or compensate for the impacts and cumulative effects of projects, such as photovoltaic solar plants or wind farms, on animal populations. But the power of eSIA it is often not enough to predict the impacts of projects on wildlife. The monitoring of species by telemetry is especially useful.

During the environmental inventory, evidence should be produced to locate the project in the area with the least impact on animal populations. In addition, wildlife monitoring must continue during construction and operation to confirm that the impact is minor or residual, which is offset by habitat improvement measures, and to adopt new conservation measures if unforeseen or emerging impacts are identified (this is adaptive management and justifies the environmental monitoring).

Direct observation is the general sampling technique for bird studies. And it is sufficient to identify the obvious risk, such as nests of large raptors or breeding areas of agrosteppe birds in the area of implantation or influence of the project, but not to detect long-term effects on animal populations (for example, population decline due to habitat loss or direct mortality, or even as a result of ecological traps). The monitoring of species by telemetry (remotely) is continuous, the information is complete: not only to locate nesting sites, but also to describe without sampling biases the use of space, daily and seasonal movements or feeding areas during reproduction and wintering (see Figure 1). In addition, the transmitters also record the height and speed of flight; data of interest to analyze the risk of bird collisions in wind turbines and power lines. The optimal strategy is to complement direct observation on itineraries and observatories with the remote monitoring of a sample representative of the species sensitive to the project: in solar plants, steppe birds due to loss of habitat and also due to fidelity to breeding areas; in wind farms, large birds of prey due to mortality due to collision.

VHF radio transmitters emit a radio signal that a receiver captures to locate individuals in the field by triangulation, observe it and record the position. Radiotelemetry is a technology that is no longer in use due to the cheaper price of GPS and GSM devices (see Figure 2). GSM transmitters record the position of individuals and download the data to a handheld receiver or attached to a vehicle, or to mobile phone antennas. GPS transmitters send the signal to the satellite. They are the most expensive devices. We remind you that only experts in wildlife manipulation should capture and mark animals, always in safe conditions and only when the objective of the study (e.g., evaluating the impact of a project on animal populations) justifies it.

Ideas MedioAmbiental biologists recommend telemetry species monitoring techniques to ensure the reliability of environmental impact studies and monitoring plans in photovoltaic solar plants and wind farms. A complete environmental inventory to adapt the implementation in the study area and, therefore, minimize the impact on the fauna and ensure the viability of the project. And provide administrative technicians who evaluate projects with sufficient evidence for decision-making (that is, accepting, modifying or rejecting the project). Make the production of renewable energy compatible with the conservation of biodiversity.