The Effects of Electromagnetic Fields From Power Lines on Avian Reproductive Biology and Physiology: A Review

Abstract

Electrical power lines are ubiquitous in the developed world and in urban areas of the developing world. All electrical currents, including those running through power lines, generate electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). Electrical power lines, towers, and distribution poles are used by birds for perching, hunting, and nesting. Therefore, many bird species, like humans, are exposed to EMFs throughout their lives. EMFs have been implicated in adversely affecting multiple facets of human health, including increasing the risks of life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, clinical depression, suicide, and Alzheimer’s disease. A great deal of research and controversy exists as to whether or not exposure to EMFs affects the cellular, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems of vertebrates. Laboratory work has used mice, rats, and chickens as models for this EMF research in an effort to understand better the possible implications of EMF exposure for humans. However, EMF exposure of wild birds may also provide insight into the impacts of EMFs on human health. This review focuses on research examining the effects of EMFs on birds; most studies indicate that EMF exposure of birds generally changes, but not always consistently in effect or in direction, their behavior, reproductive success, growth and development, physiology and endocrinology, and oxidative stress under EMF conditions. Some of this work has involved birds under aviary conditions, while other research has focused on free-ranging birds exposed to EMFs. Finally, a number of future research directions are discussed that may help to provide a better understanding of EMF effects on vertebrate health and conservation.

We dedicate this paper to Professor Ross Adey whose exceptional talents as a researcher and mentor will be greatly missed.

We thank Ross Adey and Bob McGivern for advice about the physiological effects of EMFs and with respect to avian fertility. K. J. Fernie thanks Hydro Québec, Elliot Block and Dave Bird for logistical support and/or advice during her EMF research, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Service during her current research. We also thank Wolfgang Wiltschko and Roland Prinzinger for access to literature. Financial support for EMF work by K. J. Fernie has been provided by McGill University, Hydro-Québec, the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, the John K. Cooper Foundation, the Wilson Ornithological Society, the Province of Québec Society for the Protection of Birds (P.Q.S.P.B.), the International Osprey Foundation, and the Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarship. Financial support for S. J. Reynolds has been provided by the Natural Environment Research Council, the National Science Foundation, the University of Memphis, and the University of Birmingham.

Notes

We dedicate this paper to Professor Ross Adey whose exceptional talents as a researcher and mentor will be greatly missed.

We thank Ross Adey and Bob McGivern for advice about the physiological effects of EMFs and with respect to avian fertility. K. J. Fernie thanks Hydro Québec, Elliot Block and Dave Bird for logistical support and/or advice during her EMF research, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Service during her current research. We also thank Wolfgang Wiltschko and Roland Prinzinger for access to literature. Financial support for EMF work by K. J. Fernie has been provided by McGill University, Hydro-Québec, the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, the John K. Cooper Foundation, the Wilson Ornithological Society, the Province of Québec Society for the Protection of Birds (P.Q.S.P.B.), the International Osprey Foundation, and the Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarship. Financial support for S. J. Reynolds has been provided by the Natural Environment Research Council, the National Science Foundation, the University of Memphis, and the University of Birmingham.