Fledermausschutz im Schatten der Windenergie: Deutschlands Experten vermissen Transparenz und bundesweite Standards in den Genehmigungsverfahren.

Over the past decade, the expansion of energy production from renewable sources has led to increasing conflicts, which are mostevident in the relatively high numbers of bats killed at wind turbines (WT). In many cases, operation of a WT is only grantedunder species-specific mitigation measures, such as WT curtailments to minimize bat collisions. Here, we present a nationwidestakeholder survey about the content and implementation ofsuggested mitigation schemes for the operation of WT. Stakeholder groups included conservation authorities, consultants, wind energy representatives, NGO and volunteer bat experts, as well as researchers in this field (167 responses). In general, responses were heterogeneous and answers of members of the wind energy sector were often contrasting with those of authorities and consultants.Most experts estimated that less than 50% of the reports suggested curtailments. Also, the number of commissioned curtailments seems to be relatively low. Thus, collision risks may not be sufficiently reduced and the number of bats killed at WT may be higher than anticipated. Further, experts criticized the lack of monitoring of implementation of commissioned operating schemes for WT. Additionally, experts confirm a relatively high number of lawsuits about commissioned curtailments. Most respondents favoured a general, nationwide WT curtailment with seasonal and regional restrictions to reduce bat fatality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]