600,000 Bats Died in 2012 due to Wind Turbines

Over 600,000 bats died due to wind turbines in the U.S., a new study has found. Most of these deaths occurred in the Appalachian Mountains.

The mammals didn't just die after being hit by the turbine blades, but also due to changes in air pressure.

For the study, Mark Hayes of the University of Colorado, used data from dead bats found at 21 locations. He says that the estimated 60,000 is actually a conservative figure. The actual number could at least be 50 percent more than the estimate.

Bats play an important role in pollination as well as checking the spread of insects. A fall in their numbers could threaten the survival of an ecosystem.

The mammals are already suffering habitat-loss due to climate change and diseases such as the white nose syndrome. Additional deaths due to wind turbines could drastically reduce their population.

Back in 2011, Hayes had found that abandoned mines in Colarado could be used to protect bat species found in the region.

The Bird Partisans

This isn't the first time wind farms have been linked with bird-murder. Back in September, a study reported that 67 golden and bald eagles had been killed on wind energy facilities. Another study had shown that at least 80,000 falcons and hawks died due to these turbines. Just like Hayes, other researchers say that the number of bird deaths attributed to wind energy facilities is underestimated.

More Wind power in the Future

America's wind energy capacity grew 2,200 percent since the beginning of the 21^st century, reports The Pacific Standard.

U.S. Department of Energy's "2012 Wind Technologies Market Report" has said that about four percent of all electric supply in the country is from wind power. The coming year will see several more wind energy projects being launched in the U.S.

Wind energy has been gaining popularity across the U.S., despite researchers pointing out that wind energy might not be the greatest source of power.

The study was published in the journal BioScience.