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<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Indian researchers have discovered that mountain areas with turbines had four times less buzzards and hawks than areas without. "data-reactid =" 32 "> Indian researchers have discovered that mountain areas with turbines had four times less buzzards and hawks than areas without.
The change has had a knock-on effect on other animals normally eaten by birds of prey – with an overabundance of lizards in these areas.
The researchers studied a wind farm in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, comparing it to an area devoid of wind turbines.
In Great Britain, the RSPB had already warned that turbines could kill sea eagles. It is also known that these machines kill bats, owls and hawks.
Graphic showing how a lizard species has thrived in an area where wind farms have killed raptors that exploit them (AFP Photo / John SAEKI)
Professor Maria Thaker, lead author of the study, said the wind turbines looked like a new "big predator".
Thaker told the Telegraph: "Whenever a top predator is removed or added, unexpected effects affect the ecosystem.
"We find that wind farms reduce the abundance and activity of predatory birds – for example, buzzards, hawks and kites – thereby increasing the density of lizards.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "MORE: British business leaders sign letter calling for second referendum on Brexit
MORE: The former race driver, 102, dies after being stuck on his roof for three days"data-reactid =" 63 ">MORE: British business leaders sign letter calling for second referendum on Brexit
MORE: The former race driver, 102, dies after being stuck on his roof for three days
"We are seeing that wind farms have emerging impacts that are greatly underestimated."
"It is imperative to adopt an ecosystem-wide vision when aligning green energy goals with environmental protection. "
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