Modelling the habitat selection of the bearded vulture to predict areas of potential conflict with wind energy development in the Swiss Alps

Global warming impels countries to dramatically reduce their release of greenhouse gas emissions and increase reliance on green energy, notably wind power. Yet, without cautious planning, the sprawl turbines could negatively impact biodiversity, especially flying vertebrates that are otherwise already threatened. Inherent risks for vulnerable endangered species usually mitigated by banning constructions within buffer areas around nesting locations. This approach, however, neglects species’ range dynamics particularly falls short protecting expanding populations, as in case natural returns or reintroduction programmes. We present here an alternative approach mitigate wildlife-infrastructure conflicts, applying it bearded vulture, a reintroduced European Alps. Combining casual observations GPS locations tagged individuals, we built several predictive distribution models with respect vulture age class season tested models’ ability correctly predict its future expansion Although immature adult birds showed different habitat selection patterns, both summer winter, wide Swiss Alps (40%) offer suitable habitat. The above combined information enabled predicting today’s use breeding vultures previously unused areas. study not only provides detailed analysis vulture’s ecological requirements but also helps delineating where conflicts energy production other aerial infrastructure will likely occur Switzerland. resulting maps provide large-scale planning tool companies, landscape planners wildlife managers can any environmental risk assessments.