Short Science Summary: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats

Marine Habitat

Potential Environmental Effects on Habitats from Marine Renewable Energy: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats

Most marine renewable energy (MRE) devices must be attached to the seafloor in some way, either by gravity foundations, pilings, or anchors, and many will also have transmission cables on the seabed, and mooring lines, as well as the devices themselves in the water column. Physical changes in benthic and pelagic habitats have the potential to alter where species live and how common they are at a site, and they may lead to habitat loss, provide opportunities for non-native species to become established, alter ecological patterns, modify ecosystem functions and the services the ecosystem provides, and affect the behavior of many marine organisms.

This Short Science Summary was developed based on the OES-Environmental 2020 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World, specifically Chapter 6: Changes in Benthic and Pelagic Habitats Caused by Marine Renewable Energy Devices.

The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Homing of Pelagic Fish to Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs): The Role of Sensory Cues Dempster, T., Kingsford, M. Journal Article Marine Energy Habitat Change Fish, Pelagic Fish
A General Theory on Fish Aggregation to Floating Objects: An Alternative to the Meeting Point Hypothesis Castro, J., Santiago, J., Santana-Ortega, A. Journal Article Marine Energy Attraction, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish
Evaluating the Coastal Environment for Marine Birds Wanless, S., Bacon, P., Harris, M., Webb, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy Habitat Change Birds, Physical Environment
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Final Environmental Impact Statement National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Report Marine Energy, OTEC Chemicals, Habitat Change, Noise Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
The Potential Environmental Consequences of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants Walsh, J. Workshop Article Marine Energy, OTEC Chemicals, Habitat Change Physical Environment, Water Quality
Assessment and Control of OTEC Ecological Impacts Wilde, P., Sandusky, J., Jassby, A. Report OTEC, Marine Energy Habitat Change, Chemicals Legal & Policy, Human Dimensions
Assessment and Control of OTEC Physical Environmental Impacts Ditmars, J. Conference Paper Marine Energy, OTEC Habitat Change Physical Environment
Field Experiments on the Attraction of Pelagic Fish to Floating Objects Hunter, J., Mitchell, C. Journal Article Marine Energy Attraction, Habitat Change Fish, Pelagic Fish
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