The Wind of Change: Mapping Wind Energy Growth and Multi‐Species Vulnerability in Sardinia, Mediterranean

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ABSTRACT The rapid expansion of wind energy across the Mediterranean region calls for more advanced tools to assess and mitigate its impacts on biodiversity. In this study, we present an innovative approach combining 13‐year satellite imagery analysis and ecological modelling to assess the spatiotemporal overlap between wind energy development and habitat suitability for multiple vulnerable raptor species. We reconstructed a spatio‐temporal trajectory of wind turbine distribution using high‐resolution satellite images, meaning we quantified how and where turbines were installed over time to capture the progressive transformation of the landscape. This trajectory was then spatially compared with habitat suitability maps derived from species distribution models for seven raptor species of conservation concern, while for the Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus ), we used GPS telemetry data. Our analysis revealed an overall 118% increase in wind energy infrastructure over the 13‐year period. A substantial spatial overlap emerged between wind installations and suitable areas for raptors: specifically, we found that 50.5% of suitable areas fall within historically active wind zones (with wind farms operating for at least 13 years), and 73.3% of suitable areas overlap with new wind expansion zones. Although the degree of overlap varied among species, these values indicate that a considerable proportion of suitable habitat for the studied raptors now lies within areas potentially affected by wind turbines. This approach highlights the potential of combining geospatial data, predictive modelling, and a multi‐species perspective to complement traditional assessment methods. Our results offer useful insights for identifying priority areas for monitoring and mitigation and propose a transferable framework that could support more biodiversity‐informed energy planning in Mediterranean ecosystems.

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