ELECTROSTEPPE
Evidence-based solutions for an ecological transition compatible with the conservation of steppe birds (2022-2025)
SUMMARY
In this project we propose a multispecies, spatially-explicit approach to assess the challenges and provide potential solutions that allow the transition to a low-carbon, renewable energy-based economy compatible with safeguarding the conservation of the last remaining steppe bird communities in Europe. The project builds upon national censuses of steppe-birds and a large data set of GPS tagged birds, and will be used to generate the best ecological data on steppe bird distribution, abundance, and movement ecology. This project is led by IREC-CSIC and MNCN-CSIC, in partnership with UCM, UAM, CFTC and SEO/BirdLife. We also expect synergies with the “Cátedra” Steppe Forward and the recently created GIAE (Grupo de Investigación en Aves Esteparias). The ELECTROSTEPPE project (TED2021-130352B-100) is funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by the EU (“NextGenerationEU”/PRTR).
More info here.
FUNDING
Project pictures
Project outputs
Oral communications
Benítez-López, A., Maeso-Pueyo, L., Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Mougeot, F. Current and future conflicts between solar photovoltaic energy infrastructures and sandgrouse distributions. Oral contribution. International Conference on Palearctic Steppe Birds: ecology and conservation challenges (ICPSB), Ciudad Real, España (March 25 – 29, 2025)
Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Mougeot, F., Arroyo, B., Bota, G., Giralt, D., Maeso-Pueyo, L., Martín, C. A., Morales, M. B., Olea, P. P., Traba, J., Benítez-López, A. Steppe birds and renewables: Identifying conflict and no-go areas in Spain based on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. International Conference on Palearctic Steppe Birds: ecology and conservation challenges (ICPSB), Ciudad Real, España (March 25 – 29, 2025)
Gómez-Catasús, J., Pérez-Granados, C., Benítez-López, A., Díaz, M., González del Portillo, D., Bravo, C. A review of the status of steppe birds and their habitats: conservation status and threats. Poster. International Conference on Palearctic Steppe Birds: ecology and conservation challenges (ICPSB), Ciudad Real, España (March 25 – 29, 2025). Best poster award.
Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Mougeot, F., Arroyo, B., Bota, G., Giralt, D., Maeso-Pueyo, L., Martín, C. A., Morales, M. B., Olea, P. P., Traba, J., Benítez-López, A. Steppe birds and renewables: Identifying conflict and no-go areas in Spain based on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. Oral contribution. SEO’s XXVI Congreso Español de Ornitología, Madrid, España (February 12 – 16, 2025)
Marques, A. T., Silva, J. P., Arroyo, B., Benítez López, A., Berger Geiger, B., Bota, G., Faria, N., Ferraz, G., Gameiro, J., Giralt, D., Martín, C. A., Morales, M. B., Mougeot, F., Pérez García, J. M., Pacheco, C., González del Portillo, D., Sánchez García, A., Palacios, M. J., Valerio, F., Mañosa, S. Does GPS tagging and tracking devices affect survival of steppe birds?. Poster. SEO’s XXVI Congreso Español de Ornitología, Madrid, España (February 12 – 16, 2025)
Benítez-López, A., Maeso-Pueyo, L., Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Mougeot, F. Current and future conflicts between solar photovoltaic energy infrastructures and sandgrouse distributions. Poster. SEO’s XXVI Congreso Español de Ornitología, Madrid, España (February 12 – 16, 2025)
Articles
Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Mougeot, F., Arroyo, B., Bota, G., Giralt, D., Maeso, L., Martín, C. A., Morales, M- B., Olea, P. P., Traba, J., Benítez-López, A. (2026) Identifying the exposure of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of steppe birds to renewable energy developments. Conservation Biology (accepted).
Benítez-López, A., Maeso, L., Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Martín, C. A., Mougeot, F. (2026) Current and future exposure of sandgrouse populations to utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. Biological Conservation 315, 111726. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111726
Gómez-Catasús, J., Benítez-López, A., […], Bravo, C. (2025) Alarming conservation status of Western European steppe birds and their habitats: an expert-based review of current threats, traits and knowledge gaps. Biological Conservation 311, 111414. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111414
Pérez-Granados, C., Lenzner, C., Mario Díaz, Benítez-López, A., […] Gameiro, J. (2025) Using scenarios for reducing uncertainties in biodiversity conservation: From Global targets to European steppes. Conservation Letters 18, no. 5: 18, e13138. doi: 10.1111/conl.13138.
Medrano-Vizcaíno, P., Benítez-López, A., Traba, J., Arroyo, B., Bota, G., Morales, M. B., Mougeot, F. (2025) Spatial shifts in steppe bird hotspots over two decades: assessing conservation priorities and the role of protected areas. Biological Conservation 305, 111068. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111068
Mougeot, F., Fernández-Tizón, M., Benítez-López, A., Tarjuelo, R., Jiménez, J. (2024) Population decline of the Black-bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis in continental Spain, a main western Palearctic stronghold. Bird Conservation International. doi: 10.1017/S0959270924000066
