 |
Dr Jeroen MindermanResearch Fellow
School
of Biological & Environmental Sciences FK9 4LA
tel: +44 1786 467757 |
General research interests and previous projects
I have broad interests in behavioural ecology and conservation biology in general, and ornithology in particular. My research has involved studies of behavioural syndromes or “animal personality” in wild starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) (PhD project at Newcastle University), interference competition and predation risk in foraging redshank (Tringa totanus) and the foraging ecology of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus). During my MSc and PhD I have developed a keen interest in the link between behavioural processes on an individual level and population dynamics, and in using such links to inform conservation efforts.
Current project: “Assessing the effects of micro-turbines on urban wildlife”
Only with your help we can collect enough data on the potential impact of small wind turbines on wildlife! If you own or have a micro-turbine (even if you are only planning one!) on your property, we are keen to hear from you. Please complete our online questionnaire here (PDF version here).
I am currently working with Dr Kirsty Park and Dr Chris Pendlebury on a two-year project funded by the Leverhulme Trust that aims to assess the potential ecological impact of micro-turbines on wildlife, particularly birds and bats. The Leverhulme funding ensures that this is truly impartial research and we have no formal ties to either the government or the small wind industry.
Both the public and government are increasingly interested in renewable energy, and the UK government has set targets to reduce carbon emissions. Small wind turbines are becoming increasingly available and affordable, making them a potentially important means of renewable energy generation.
However, partly because of the relatively recent development of small wind systems, research into the impact of wind turbines on wildlife has been restricted to large-scale wind farms. Because the scale of wind farms is vastly different from those of small wind systems and because they are likely to be sited in completely different habitats, potential risks to wildlife can not be directly extrapolated from wind farms to small wind turbines.
Although there is some anecdotal evidence of birds and bats colliding with small turbines, there is currently little data available to policy makers and planners to guide the siting of micro-turbines. In combination with the desire to protect potentially fragile habitats or potential breeding- and feeding grounds, this lack of information has led to widely divergent planning decisions by local councils and, in some cases, refusal of planning permission, potentially limiting the deployment of this useful source of renewable energy.
In this project, we aim to identify in what situations micro-turbines may adversely affect wildlife, focusing on birds and bats in particular. We hope that such information will be useful in guiding future policy making and planning decisions regarding small wind turbines.
Specifically, we aim to investigate the interaction between micro-turbines and wildlife at the sample of sites across the UK. At each of these sites we will gather data on 1) the mortality of birds and bats associated with the turbine, 2) the flight behaviour of birds and bats in the vicinity of the turbine, 3) factors that attract birds or bats to the turbine and 4) the association between turbine sites and roosting- or feeding sites.
Further information can be found on our micro-turbine website.
We are currently actively searching for potential study sites. If you can help, please complete our questionnaire online, download and return it by post to the above address, or contact us to order a hardcopy and an SAE.
Peer-reviewed publications
• Minderman, J. Reid, J.M., Evans, P.G.H. & Whittingham, M.J. (2009). Personality traits in wild starlings: exploration behavior and environmental sensitivity. Behavioral Ecology 20(4): 830-837. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arp067
• Minderman J., Lind, J. & Cresswell, W. (2006). Behaviourally mediated indirect effects: interference competition increases predation mortality in foraging redshanks. Journal of Animal Ecology 75(3): 713-723. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01092.x
• Cresswell, W., Lind, J., Quinn, J.L., Minderman, J., Whitfield, D.P. (2007). Ringing or colour-banding does not increase predation mortality in redshanks Tringa totanus. Journal of Avian Biology 38(3): 309-316.
DOI: 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2007.03925.x
• Sansom, A., Cresswell, W., Minderman, J. Lind, J. (2008). Vigilance benefits and competition costs in groups: do individual redshanks gain an overall foraging benefit? Animal Behaviour 75(6): 1869-1875. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.11.005
I have peer-reviewed manuscripts for Biology Letters, the Journal of Animal Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Animal Behaviour, the Journal of Avian Biology and the Journal of Ethology.
