Assessing the impact of wind farms on the plant diversity of blanket bogs in the Xistral Mountains (NW Spain)

The work reported in this paper explored the effects of wind farms on the plant species and vegetation diversity of summits and slopes in the Xistral Mountains, where priority habitats occur (EU Habitats Directive, code 7130 blanket bog). Quantitatively, our results showed significantly lower α diversity and higher β diversity in impacted areas when compared to non-impacted areas. These findings indicated a link between the spread of invasive species and wind farms. The relationship was confirmed, from a qualitative perspective, by the greater community heterogeneity found in altered patches. The surveyed area was mainly covered by the Carici durieui-Eriophoretum angustifolii community, which is endemic to the Xistral Mountains and usually forms very homogenous vegetation. However, where it was altered by the building of wind farms, we observed new communities (wet meadows) or substitution by wet heath or humid grassland.