Effects of Controlled Disturbance on Ferruginous Hawks as May Occur During Geothermal Energy Development
- Key words
- Environment; Ecology; Bird; USA; Idaho; Raft River; Impacts; Nests; Treatment; Buffer Zones; Blue Lists; US DOE; EG&G Idaho; Brigham Young University
- Location
- Raft River, Idaho
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Environmental aspects; Ecology
- Language
- English
Abstract
The impacts of the ferruginous hawk of treatments designed to simulate those encountered during geothermal development were assessed at the Raft River Geothermal Test Site. The objective of the study was to ascertain the tolerance limits of the disturbance sensitive hawks to human and development related activities. Various impact treatments were imposed on 10 nests during 1979. Three nests were deserted in 1978 and four in 1979; treatment nests that successfully hatched eggs produced statically fewer young than control nests. Data suggest that "buffer zones" or >1.6 km around each nest be established to minimize deleterious impacts on this hawk species. Utilization of biological systems indicative of ecosystem stress is discussed.
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