Wind farms and wolf conservation in Portugal: an innovative compensation scheme

Several renewable energy companies in Portugal have united to create the Iberian Wolf Habitat Conservation Association (ACHLI), which aims at putting in practice conservation activities that compensate for the environmental impact of wind parks. 

What is the connection between wind farms and wolves?

Most wind farms in Portugal are located in remote mountain areas, which are also the main habitat for the Iberian Wolf. Located in fragmented territories in the mountainous regions of Northern Portugal, these wolves are considered a priority species according to the Habitats Directive. According to the Portuguese Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) law, new infrastructures (such as windfarms) must conduct an EIA study under certain circumstances, such as when it is projected within wolf territory. The EIA study serves to evaluate whether negative impacts exist on the wolf. If the species is affected negatively, mitigation and/or compensation measures must be presented for the project to be approved.

From EIA research, it has become clear that around one third of all Portuguese wolves share their territory with windfarms. Both the wolf and its prey species are impacted, both by habitat changes (such as habitat loss and fragmentation) and disturbance.

To balance the environmental impacts, in 2006 several renewable energy companies created the non-profit association ACHLI. ACHLI manages the Iberian Wolf Habitat Conservation Fund, with financial contributions coming from the members who must conduct compensatory measures under the EIA. The Fund, based purely on private funding, has as sole purpose to support projects related to the conservation and management of the Iberian Wolf and its habitat.

Activities carried out to conserve the habitat of the Iberian Wolf

There are various activities carried out together with many different actors, including national forestry authorities; universities; research and conservation organizations; local authorities; farmers; wind park owners; and local hunters associations. There are two intervention zones: South Douro and Alto Minho. ACHLI has been working on the various projects detailled below.

Managing forest

The forest management project covers about 700 hectares of forest area. The aim is to reforest, improve and maintain forest areas adapted to the ecological conditions of the region. The ecological mosaics provide refuge and food for both the wolf and the wild ungulates it preys on (roe deer, wild boar and red deer). In addition, forest management benefits biodiversity; conserves autochthonous species; eliminates invasive species; fights against erosion; and contributes to forest fire reduction.

Limiting predation on livestock

The Iberian wolf’s diet largely includes wild ungulates. When wild prey is scarce, the wolf turns towards other available food sources, such as cows, horses, sheep and goats.

To decrease impacts on livestock and associated conflict, there are three complementary activities:

• The programme Cão de Gado (developed by the NGO Grupo Lobo) has been created to reduce wolf attacks on livestock through the use of livestock guarding dogs. Since 2014, ACHLI has financed the hand out of 47 livestock guarding dogs. The monitoring of the human-wolf coexistence shows that there is a reduced wolf depredation on livestock.
• Reintroduction of the Roe deer to form stable populations, and thereby providing a lasting food source for the wolf. Since 2013, a total of 102 roe deer have been reintroduced in two reintroduction sites. Preliminary findings have shown some evidences of wolf depredation on the roe deer.
• The creation of restricted hunting zones, which provide refuge for prey species as these can live there undisturbed by hunting activities. The creation of these zones is done in collaboration with hunter associations. Currently there are two no-hunting areas, covering together 2,323 hectares.

Raising public awareness

The acceptance and collaboration of local communities is key for successful wolf conservation actions. Hence, awareness raising activities aim at minimizing the conflict between men and wolves through information (on aspects like the wolf’s ecological role) and exchange of experiences with local inhabitants.

Setting wolf monitoring plans

Lastly, it is important to assess whether all above projects positively contribute to the conservation of the wolf and its habitat. Therefore, ACHLI has set up two wolf monitoring plans: one for the South Douro and another for the Alto Minho area, conducted together with the Universities of Porto and of Aveiro.

Conclusion

Benefitting from the legal obligation to take compensatory measures to counterbalance the environmental impact occasioned by wind parks, ACHLI links renewable energy production with wolf conservation. The various projects are complementary amongst each other, and through their financial sustainability it is possible to focus on long-term conservation outcomes. The key to ACHLI’s success is the community involvement throughout the process.

This good practice can be transferred to other mountain areas with a similar compensatory framework for environmental impacts occasioned by infrastructures such as wind parks. Indeed, the private funding structure is an enabler for this compensation scheme, where the success factors include an integrated conservation scheme and inclusive communication campaigns.