On the causes of the so-called insects dying a lot is known, but many questions are open. One of them is whether wind turbines killing insects in significant quantities. The fact is that the remains of the flying insects are always found on the rotors. It is also a fact that meaningful studies and experiments are missing completely. A model for the Franz Trieb and Thomas Gerz German center for air and space travel (DLR) and Matthias Geiger from the Leibniz Institute for animal biodiversity in Bonn, Germany have done together, provides at least an estimate.
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In the 2018 study that appeared in the German press Agency reported now, and based on a precursor study stem, is estimated to be 1200 tonnes of dead insects per year. That sounds like a lot, but in comparison to the 400 000 tonnes are eaten every year in the German forests, of birds estimated to be almost negligible.
Due to the height of the rotors would not be affected in any case, only species that are site-faithful, but in greater heights with the help of the wind, long-distance Hiking. Which are in Germany, also little is known. The painted lady is one of them. Detailed studies on wind turbines found insect remains were, therefore, “absolutely necessary,” says Thomas Schmitt, Director of the German Entomological Institute in Müncheberg. This is possible even with completely mashed insects with the help of modern Gensequenzier methods. Vulnerable species, see Schmitt, but wind power is hardly any additional pressure: “Under the migratory species is less endangered species are usually considered in the site-faithful.” The study also emphasizes that most of the insects are likely to survive an encounter with a wind turbine.
a Lot of dead insects means lots of insects
However, it is not excluded also that turbulence-ready behind wind power plants insects swarming problems. The cost of animals may have significantly more energy than you have to spend in the normal wind currents. In addition, you could materials, the orientation to the scent of conspecifics difficult. Long-drawn-out Tails of such turbulence, including Wake vortices, are in any case proven.
in fact, large amounts of wind power installations registered, the killed insects would be even more of a good sign for the condition of the insect world. Because it would mean that there are a lot of insects. It would be an analogy to the so-called “windshield-phenomenon”: The insects are dying is manifested in a visible, inter alia, that today, much less the animals on headlights and windshields of moving cars as the decades before.
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Richard Friebe
As the cause of the decline is mainly Agrarian and environmental toxins, habitat loss, and lack of food. Also, more and more insects, confusing night-time lighting could play a greater role.
