Risk of bird electrocution in power lines: a framework for prioritizing species and areas for conservation and impact mitigation

A novel framework identifies 283 bird species at risk of electrocution on power lines in Brazil, with raptors (76%) among the most vulnerable. The Pantanal Conservation Area stands out for its high cumulative susceptibility due to a concentration of large, perch- or nest-using species, while the Atlantic Forest region poses greater electrocution risk owing to spatial overlap between vulnerable species and dense power lines. This study bridges critical knowledge gaps in developing regions by modeling electrocution risk through species-specific exposure (pole density) and susceptibility (morphological/behavioral traits), enabling targeted conservation and mitigation strategies for high-risk areas and species. The approach offers a scalable solution for understudied global regions.

Biasotto, L. D., Moreira, F., Bencke, G. A., D’Amico, M., Kindel, A., & Ascensão, F. (2021). Risk of bird electrocution in power lines: a framework for prioritizing species and areas for conservation and impact mitigation. Animal Conservation, 25(2), 285–296. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12736