European free–tailed bat fatalities at wind farms in southern Spain

Abstract

Wind is increasingly used as a renewable energy all around the world. Although wind turbines help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the costs to wildlife cannot be overlooked. To date, monitoring programs and research have mainly focused on the impact of wind farms on birds but negative effects on bats have also reported. Here we compile information related to European free–tailed bat deaths at wind farms in southern Spain. In a world where the demand for renewable energy is rising we highlight the need to better understand and prevent bat fatalities.