Abstract
Grouse (Tetraoninae spp.) populations benefit from large intact areas of habitat that satisfy all life cycle requirements and the conservation of these habitats benefits multiple species. Effective conservation requires a thorough understanding of the factors that impact these habitats. Grouse populations are adversely affected by anthropogenic features on the landscape but an overall understanding of the specific effects of wind energy development is lacking. Given the trend in wind energy development, and to better understand and manage grouse species in response to energy development, a quantitative review of studies is necessary. We reviewed studies that evaluated the effect of wind energy facilities on grouse. Our objective was to determine the magnitude of effects of wind turbines on grouse habitat selection, lek attendance, and survival at various distances from wind turbines. We used 10 studies, resulting in 22 study-result combinations, in our meta-analysis. Similar to other anthropogenic features that exist in grouse habitats, grouse habitat selection, survival, and lek attendance were all adversely impacted in habitats in close proximity to wind turbines. However, the magnitude of the effect was small and variable across studies. The results of this analysis build upon previous meta-analyses that estimated effect sizes of other anthropogenic features on grouse populations. Inferences from this study can be applied to future wind energy facilities located in similar habitats and associated with grouse populations similar to those included in this analysis. As additional research is conducted, similarities between study sites and seasonal, species-specific, or behavioral responses will be identified to inform siting of future wind energy facilities in grouse habitats that avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts. Reducing the impacts of energy development is a necessary step to conserve the habitats of these indicator species upon which many other species also rely.