A conceptual model to determine vulnerability of wildlife populations to offshore wind energy development

As offshore wind energy development is planned in the United States, there is an increasing need for preand post-construction monitoring plans to be focused on species determined to be most vulnerable to hazards of a speci c project. We propose a conceptual model that incorporates biological and sociological parameters. Speci cally, we suggest that demographic, ethological/biological, and population sensitivity be considered with legal protection, economic importance, and/or stakeholder interest. We recommend that vulnerability determinations include qualitative and quantitative methods.