Prof. Georg Martin1, Dr Kristjan Herkül1
1Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, Estonia
Continuous climatic and energy crisis lead to exploring for new sources of renewable energy. Developing of offshore wind parks is on the agenda of all coastal states around the Baltic Sea. While no offshore wind facilities are in the operation currently in the northern Baltic, active development is undergoing and several thousands of km2 of offshore wind energy are in the planning process. Technologically most favourable sea areas for offshore wind energy overlap with distribution of reef habitats and so the tremendous impact on these ecosystems is expected while no experiences of comparable scale projects exist from this unique sea area (low salinity, ice conditions, low biological diversity etc.). In Estonian coastal sea area at least five offshore wind energy projects (covering more than 1500 km2) are under different stages of planning and EIA studies are currently carried out. Methodology was developed to adequately map different features of benthic biodiversity and estimate the possible environmental effects of these development projects. Loss and disturbance of the benthic habitats and biological communities have been modeled using GIS tools giving valuable input to the EIA process and further technical planning and site selection for placement of wind turbines and needed supporting infrastructure. In the paper we present methodology developed for mapping and evaluating the possible effects from construction project and illustrate results of two completed EIA studies.
Presentation Slides – Georg Martin
Biography:
Professor in marine biology of Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu. Main scientific field of interest is benthic ecology of photic hard substrate communities of the Baltic Sea. Have experience in coordinating EIA and environmental monitoring studies of different development projects in coastal sea areas of the NE Baltic Sea.
