Przyrodnicze aspekty potencjalnego rozwoju energetyki wiatrowej na terenach leśnych w Polsce

The impact of wind power installations on the natural environment, including forest ecosystems, has been
investigated for a considerable period of time. Based on currently available data, the authors conclude that operating wind turbines within forest areas poses a significant threat to forest environments, particularly to flying animals, including legally protected species. The reviewed studies indicate that wind power plants situated in forests have substantial potential to affect both the natural environment and the landscape. It has been found that siting wind farms in forested areas, which are
typically characterised by high biodiversity, further increases the environmental risks commonly associated with such
installations. Locating wind energy facilities in forests has also generated social controversy in countries where such
investments are being implemented, primarily in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and is frequently opposed
by environmental protection organisations and scientific experts. In their conclusions, the authors state that although lower procedural costs and the anticipated greater ease of obtaining permits for publicly owned land may encourage investors to plan such developments in forest areas, the confirmed higher environmental costs – compared with constructing wind turbines in open landscapes – necessitate a critical assessment of the justification for such investments.