Land-Based Wind Energy Stimuli and Wildlife Sensory Environments

Wind energy introduces novel sensory cues, including visual, acoustic, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and physical stimuli, that interact with animal perceptual systems. While many of these stimuli are minimal or not ecologically relevant, some could interfere with animal behavior and others may be imperceptible to animals, potentially creating unrecognized risks. Wildlife impacts may occur through multiple pathways such as the masking of natural signals, distraction from important tasks, or maladaptive attraction to misleading cues. A sensory ecology framework can improve research and management by informing interventions through species-specific perception.