Files and links (1)
CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Offshore wind farms can enhance the structural composition and functional dynamics of coastal waters
Global ecology and conservation, Vol.64, e03982
2025
Abstract
Offshore wind farms (OWF) are rapidly emerging as essential infrastructure for transitioning to renewable energy, and this has been particularly important in the waters of China. To evaluate the impact of OWF construction, Ecopath models were developed for an OWF area and, separately, for a nearby control area, using biological and environmental survey data collected in 2022 and 2023. Functional groups were initially categorized into soft-substrate and hard-substrate (turbine monopiles) communities. The results showed that the colonization of turbine monopiles by sessile organisms significantly increased the productivity of most fish functional groups in the OWF area compared to the control. The OWF ecosystem exhibited higher trophic levels, especially for macroinvertebrates and fish, and a more complex food web with enhanced detritus flow than the control area. Mixed trophic impact analysis indicated a shift from a pelagic to a benthic-dominated system following OWF construction. Notably, detritus accounted for 52 % of total system throughput in the OWF area, compared to 38 % in the control area, highlighting a transition toward detritus-based energy flow. Furthermore, the OWF system showed significantly higher values for total system throughput, omnivory index, connectivity, Finn’s cycling index, and ascendency. Overall, the presence of the OWF resulted in significant changes in the trophic flow and system structure, creating a more complex, mature, and stable benthic-dominated ecosystem. These findings indicate that the establishment of OWF enhances both the structural composition and functional dynamics of surrounding marine ecosystems.
Details
- Title
- Offshore wind farms can enhance the structural composition and functional dynamics of coastal waters
- Authors/Creators
- Liwei Si - Dalian Ocean UniversityLongfei Xu - Dalian Ocean UniversityZhilin Wang - Dalian Ocean UniversityJames R. Tweedley - Murdoch UniversityNeil R. Loneragan - Murdoch UniversityYi Li - Dalian Ocean UniversityHang Liu - Dalian Ocean UniversityTao Tian - Dalian Ocean UniversityZhongxin Wu - Dalian Ocean University
- Publication Details
- Global ecology and conservation, Vol.64, e03982
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005831735807891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Metrics
4 File views/ downloads
19 Record Views