I just received my July/August issue of Ducks Unlimited magazine and there is a fascinating story by Jim Ringelman, Ph.D, on Ducks and Energy. Ringelman recognizes that between now and 2030, world energy demand is projected to increase by 45 percent.
RIngelman writes: "Not all forms of energy extraction have negative impacts on waterfowl populations on a continental level. Coal mining and nuclear power production, for example, may be unsightly and have local environmental impacts, but they don't significantly affect waterfowl habitat at large scales. This is fortunate, as these energy sources provide 25 percent and six percent of the world's energy respectively.
Ringelman goes on to write those sources can have an impact on water quality and bear watching.
He goes on to say that other energy extraction can have a negative impact. Production of ethanol is a double-edge sword for ducks. Loss of habitat because grasslands are converted to cornfields which impact nesting areas and food sources. On wind, Ducks Unlimited researchers are worried about the impacts of wind towers in breeding territories and nesting site.
On hydro, Ringelman reports: "Hydroelectric dams can inundate floodplain wetland and later natural river flows, reducing the number of oxbows and backwater wetlands available to ducks. At the same time, reservoirs created by hydroelectric dams can provide feeding and roosting habitat for waterfowl as well as irrigation for growing grain crops eating by feeding ducks and geese."
Ringelman's article points out there are no silver bullets when it comes to ducks, energy or society. There are trade offs which we must recognize, moderate and work with.
Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)
