Download UnderstandingtheEffectsofLightPollutiononWildlife

Understanding the Effects
of
Light Pollution on Wildlife
Johnny Noles, Biologist
Chesapeake Bay
[email protected]
INTRODUCTION
This presentation was created to provide International Dark Skies Association
(IDA) members and concerned citizens a general information resource for
discussion of light pollution problems with emphasis on the effects on
wildlife. Feel free to use the whole or parts of the presentation for
educational outreach.
Beginning with the contents on the following slide, The presentation begins
with a pictorial introduction highlighting outdoor lighting and the basic
effects of outdoor lighting on wildlife. It further goes on to compare light
pollution with chemical pollution. It emphasizes the shortcomings of
government regulations governing pollution. It provides an example of how
environmental agencies are even responsible for the introduction of light
pollution through public environmental regulatory programs. In the absence
of light pollution regulations, it identifies public interest actions that have
been initiated in the interest of wildlife conservation.
The presentation concludes with general recommendations for environmental
agencies.
CONTENTS
I.
Introduction
Pictorial Identification of Problem
Wildlife and Habitat Impact Issues
II.
Understanding Light Pollution
Definition of Pollution
Observed Effects of Pollution
Comparing Light Pollution with Chemical Pollution
Light Pollution Regulation
III.
Examples of How Environmental Agencies are Impacting the Environment with Light
Pollution
IV.
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation and Light Pollution
V.
Recommendations for Public Agencies
Virginia Wildlife Ecosystems
Affected by Light Pollution
What are the effects of light
pollution on wildlife and their
habitats?
Chesapeake Bay
Coastal Barrier Islands
Mountain Ranges
Forests, rivers, streams, lakes
Urban habitats
I. Introduction
Elements of Light Pollution Impacting Wildlife
Light Trespass
Sky Glow
Glare
Clutter
I. Introduction
Compare Lighting from Natural
and Artificial Sources
“ what
sunrise
the critters see ”
sunset
Natural night sky
light pollution
I. Introduction
Wildlife Issue
Light pollution is trespassing into wildlife habitat
Wildlife Concerns From
Exposure to Light Pollution
Habitat Disturbance
Wildlife Behavior
Wildlife Survival
I. Introduction
NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE
owls
gray tree
frog
yellow
crowned night
heron
spotted
seatrout
 Active at night, roost by day.
 Some species species are rare, threatened and endangered species.
 Some species provide human and ecological health benefits.
 Some species provide economic benefits
 What are the effects of light pollution on their habitat and behavior?
I. Introduction
bats
DIURNAL WILDLIFE
dragonfly
frogs
squirrels
songbirds
 Active by day, roost at night.
 Some species are rare, protected and endangered species.
 Some species provide human and ecological health benefits.
 Some species provide economic benefits.
 What are the effects of light pollution on their habitat and behavior?
I. Introduction
waterfowl
Habitat Disturbance Observations








I. Introduction
Disruption of natural day-night illumination cycle in natural areas.
Replacement of nocturnal (night) cycle by elevated levels of
continuous artificial lighting over broad natural areas.
Greatest exposure of terrestrial habitats is mostly under tree canopy and
over ground level areas which is the preferred zone of most
terrestrial wildlife inhabitation.
Aquatic habitats subject to light trespass from upland and shoreline
human habitation. Water surface reflections magnify light pollution.
Light pollution in wildlife habitats mimic extended daylight conditions
causing wildlife behavior to be unnaturally modified.
Exposure of wildlife circadian rhythms to light pollution.
Wildlife biodiversity at risk in light polluted nocturnal habitats.
Diminished habitat function (e.g., shelter, protection, food).
Understanding Light Pollution
II.

Does it fit the definition of a pollutant?

What are the common effects of pollutants?

What similarities do chemical and light
pollutants have in common?
Understanding Light Pollution
DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF
“POLLUTANT”

Pollute - to make unfit for or harmful to living
things.

Pollutant - something that pollutes; a waste material
that contaminates air, soil, or water.

Pollution - Contamination of air, soil, or water by the
discharge of harmful substances.
Forms of pollutants and examples
Gas – carbon monoxide
Liquid - oil
Solid - asbestos
Light – streetlights
Noise – loud machinery
II.
Understanding Light Pollution
COMMONLY OBSERVED
EFFECTS OF HARMFUL POLLUTANTS
II.

Behavior

Growth

Reproduction

Survival

Death

Habitat Modification

Pollutant Environmental Fate

Population Effects
Understanding Light Pollution
Similarities between Chemical and Light Pollution
Organism
Impact
Chemical* Light**
Human Exposure
Wildlife Exposure
Abnormal behavior
Growth
Reproduction
Survival
Death
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
LP
Examples
urban/industrial settings
urban/industrial settings
migrations, attraction/avoidance
plants, cancer cells
mammals, amphibians
sea turtles, birds
sea turtles, birds
* Sufficient data generated by studies on numerous chemicals.
** Insufficient data; repeated observations of incidences and correlation to
presence of artificial lighting.
II.
Understanding Light Pollution
Similarities between Chemical and Light Pollution
Chemical Light
 Habitat Modification
 Population Effects
 Pollutant Environmental Fate
Ecological Imbalance
 Environmental Restoration
 Restoration benefits
yes
yes
persistent
or short-lived
yes
yes
yes
persistent
Understanding Light Pollution
coastal ecosystems*
sea turtles, birds
ubiquitous in urban/
industrial environments
yes
coastal ecosystems *
expensive$$$
cheap$
long term
immediate
Florida coasts**
Cedar River, WA****
Florida coasts**
Cedar River, WA****
* =
** =
*** =
**** =
II.
Examples
Chesapeake Bay
Sea turtle nesting habitats
See slide #18 for explanations
See slide #22 – sockeye salmon habitat
PUBLIC POLLUTION REGULATION



II.
Chemical pollution tightly regulated by public law
and multiple agencies
Light pollution is not regulated by environmental
agencies. Most agencies and many environmental
interest groups are dead asleep on the issue
The States of Florida has set the precedent to
regulate outdoor lighting strictly for wildlife
conservation purposes.
Understanding Light Pollution
PUBLIC POLLUTION REGULATION

Agencies put the burden on local governments to
control light pollution.
WRONG APPROACH!!!!!


Light pollution needs the same attention as
chemical pollution
Environmental agencies need to address light
pollution as a regional ecosystem and wildlife
conservation management approach.
Examples:
II.
Understanding Light Pollution
Chesapeake Bay Program
Florida Everglades Program
Great Lakes Program
USA’s First Outdoor Lighting Ordinance for Wildlife Conservation
Endangered Sea turtles in Florida
Life cycle consist of birth on land, spending life in ocean, returning
to land only to nest
LIGHT POLLUTION IMPACTS

Beach nesting habitats exposed to bright outdoor
shoreline lighting


Adults won’t come ashore to nest
Hatchlings emerge from sand nests, normally
orientate towards starlit ocean

Artificial lights on beaches, coastal roads, and
buildings disorientate hatchlings and adults that crawl
away from the beach towards inland light sources.
 Migratory disruptions from light pollution leads to
death from dehydration, wildlife, domestic animals and
human predation, and vehicle collusions
II.
Understanding Light Pollution
EXAMPLES OF AGENCIES
IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT
WITH LIGHT POLLUTION
WETLANDS PERMITTING
Army Corp of Engineers, State Environmental Agencies and local Wetlands
Boards


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
III.
Permits do not address lighting on piers and waterfront structures
Nontarget lighting trespassing into wetlands and upland
wildlife habitat
Problem magnified by water surface reflections
Disturbance and modification of wildlife habitat and behavior
Failure to address light pollution through wetlands regulations
fosters impacts on wildlife environment, boating safety, public
aesthetics and effectiveness of existing wetlands protection
efforts.
Examples of How Environmental Agencies are Impacting the Environment with Light Pollution
Light Pollution Impacts on Wildlife Through the
Nationwide Wetlands Permitting Process
Potential for Water Quality Impacts
 Unshielded pier and waterfront lighting penetrates the water column.
 Artificial lighting promotes algal growth in surface waters
 Algae feeding zooplankton uses natural light to migrate to deeper water for food. At
night, they migrate to the surface. Artificial lights from piers and shore structures causes
zooplankton to stay in deeper water when they should be feeding on the surface at night.
 The disruption of zooplankton behavior and feeding cycles leads to algal blooms in the
surface water.
 Algal blooms associated with declining water quality conditions.
 Light pollution-induced water quality effects are high for ponds, lakes, impoundments,
and low flushing coastal watershed stream and river environments.
III.
Examples of How Environmental Agencies are Impacting the Environment with Light Pollution
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation
Involving Light Pollution

SEATURTLES - first identified light pollution
indicator organism. Led to nation’s first public
outdoor lighting ordinance in Florida for wildlife
conservation purposes.
BIRDS – FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program)
Highly successful Canadian public program aimed at
reducing birds kills from collusions with lighted city
buildings. Program identifies numerous bird species at
risk from light pollution. Visit www.flap.org

SW USA ENDANGERED CAT SPECIES - US
Border Patrol proposes putting up bright lights along
US-Mexico border inhabited by endangered cats.
USFWS presses for Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
IV.
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation and Light Pollution
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation Involving
Light Pollution

ENDANGERED CAT SPECIES - zoo breeding
program observes Pallas cats’ reproductive difficulties
in bright zoos. Pallas relocated to darker areas and
reproduction activity returns to normal.
 SPORT FISHES -
Civil court case involving
nocturnal seatrout species in Scotland. Fishermen
claim seatrout fishing degraded by light pollution from
adjacent property. Court supports sport fishermen
with judgment supported by expert testimony on
seatrouts’ nocturnal behavior.
In State of Washington, light trespassing into fish
habitat from unshielded lights on Cedar River trails
resulted in interference with sockeye salmon fry
migration and an increase in predation pressures.
Lights shielding by WA DOT reduced light trespass,
enhanced habitat, and improved fish migratory
passage.
IV.
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation and Light Pollution
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation
Involving Light Pollution
 US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE is responding to
public concerns about light pollution and loss of night
sky aesthetics. National Park Service retrofitting existing
lights with full cut off optics (FCO). Public night sky
aesthetics restoration seen as a wildlife benefit
 MIGRATORY BIRDS - mortalities from collusions
with lighted buildings and towers has led to USFWS
guidance on lighted towers.
IV.
Public Action Precedents in Wildlife Conservation and Light Pollution
RECOMMENDATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES
 Environmental agencies (EPA, NOAA, USFWS, USACOE) and environmental
interest groups (Sierra Club, Audubon Society, etc., ) need to take more concerted
action on light pollution as an environmental problem of significant concern.
 Define artificial lighting as an environmental contaminant and ecological stressor.
 Environmental agencies must provide funding to conduct scientific studies to
investigate light pollution impacts on the environment and wildlife.
 Environmental agencies must develop strategies and environmental regulations to
address light pollution and protection of wildlife habitats.
 Develop the Chesapeake Bay, Florida Everglades Restoration and Great Lakes
Programs as nationwide models to reduce light pollution impacts on wildlife.
 Public and private environmental programs can initiate outreach service to provide
local wetlands boards, environmental interests groups and private citizens with
education, regulatory guidance and funding on light pollution reduction.
 DOD installations could set public example of light pollution reduction as a means
of enhancing wildlife habitat, public night sky aesthetics and energy savings through
DOD environmental stewardship programs, ecosystem management initiatives,
retrofitting needed existing outdoor lights with FCO lighting, and using electronic
security technology to replace outdoor lighting as primary means of security.
V.
Recommendations for Public Agencies
RECOMMENDATIONS
LOCAL AGENCIES
Wetlands Regulatory - Army Corps of Engineers, State Agencies and Local Wetlands
Boards
V.

Issue pier and marina permits with light pollution environmental assessment
and shielded lighting requirements.

Ban mercury vapor, sodium vapor and halide lights on residential and public
piers, marinas and other waterfront structures. Use properly placed hooded
alternate low illumination lamps instead for walkways and safety areas.

No water surface reflections or indirect light trespass into surrounding habitat
and adjacent properties.

Use lowly illuminated hazard warning (yellow coded) lights on long piers and
bridges to warn boater traffic of potential navigation hazard.

Require all waterfront property owners to comply with the environmental
mandate to reduce light pollution in the wetlands and waterways.

Provide waterfront property owners with grants or awards to eliminate or
retrofit existing lights to implement light pollution control as a habitat
enhancement, wildlife conservation, boating safety enhancement, and public
aesthetics enhancement initiative.
Recommendations for Public Agencies
END
of
PRESENTATION