Possible impact of wind turbines on the abundance of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and other terrestrial mammals in the Kaufunger Wald, central Germany

Wind power is one of the most promising sustainable energy sources. However, the expansion of wind power is increasingly coming into conflict with nature conservation. To this end, possible effects of wind turbines on forest-dwelling species have hardly been investigated to date. This study aimed to close this gap. It investigated possible effects of the construction of five wind turbines in the Kaufunger Wald (central Germany) on the abundance of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), as well as on the abundance of three forest-dwelling ungulates, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the wild boar (Sus scrofa).

We used automatic cameras (camera traps) at 21 trapping sites in an approximately 12 km² large study area, to collect data on the occurrence and abundance of the four animal species. Data collection started one year before the start of the wind turbine construction in spring 2019. It was continued during the construction work in spring 2020. Finally, a last period of data collection was carried out two years after completion of the construction work in spring 2022. In each year, data were collected over a period of four months between the end of March and the beginning of July. Following a before-after-control-impact study design, data was also collected in each year at 19 reference sites distributed across an approximately 600 km² study area. In this way, possible population trends in the Kaufunger Wald could be compared to population trends in the larger area.

A detailed report of the completed project (in German) can be obtained upon request from the principal investigator.

The study was supported by the Regierungspräsidium Kassel.