Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on breeding and migrating birds

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · American Midland Naturalist; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/2426439· OSTI ID:6615877

Hanowski, J M; Blake, J G; Niemi, G J; Collins, P T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, Duluth (United States)

We conducted this study to determine if electromagnetic (EM) fields produced by an extremely low frequency (ELF) antenna system affected either the abundance or richness of breeding and migrating bird species. We counted birds on 80-500 m transects, 40 in reference areas and 40 in treatment areas adjacent to an ELF antenna system in northern Wisconsin. Counts were done three times during the breeding season and twice during autumn migration from 1986 to 1989. We used repeated measures ANOVA (multivariate test) to determine if species abundance and numbers of species varied annually (univariate test), no treatment effects were detected for bird community parameters. Fifteen of 75 breeding bird species tested indicated significant differences between reference and treatment study areas; 10 were more abundant in treatment areas. Six of 10 species more abundant in treatment areas were species that occur along edges. Eight of 51 species showed significant treatment effects in the migration season; six were more abundant in reference study areas. Two species, the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) were more abundant in reference study areas in both the breeding and migration seasons. Overall, most differences detected between treatment and reference study areas could be attributed to differences in habitat (or presence of edge). It is unlikely that differences could be attributed to ELF EM fields. 49 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 6615877
• Journal Information: American Midland Naturalist; (United States), Vol. 129:1; ISSN 0003-0031
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIRDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BREEDING
MIGRATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ABUNDANCE
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
HABITAT
LONG WAVE RADIATION
SEASONS
WISCONSIN
ANIMALS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FUEL CONVERSION
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
USA
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects