Program

Julia Gómez Catasús

Assistant Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Spain.

The rising demand for energy and the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources are driving a significant global expansion of overhead power line networks. However, these infrastructures can have serious impacts on biodiversity, particularly birds, which face risks of collision and electrocution. Bustards - among the most threatened bird groups worldwide - are especially vulnerable to collisions with overhead power lines. Their unique combination of behavioural and morphological traits increases their susceptibility, making these collisions a major cause of non-natural mortality and a significant threat to multiple species. In this talk, I will address the impacts of power lines on bustards, from collisions to habitat loss, and explore how this anthropogenic mortality may affect their populations. I will also discuss why bustards are particularly prone to colliding with overhead power lines and why Bird Flight Diverters, designed to make power lines more visible, have not proven to be truly effective. Additionally, I will highlight the importance of careful planning and the role of collision risk maps. Given that current mitigation measures have not been effective in preventing collisions, compensation strategies are necessary when power lines intersect bustard habitats.