Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Addressing climate change necessitates a shift towards sustainable energy systems, with wind farms emerging as vital renewable energy sources. However, the implementation raises concerns about ecological and social effects. This study examines the potential effects of onshore wind farms in Sweden through a comparative analysis before and after their construction.Ecological impacts on birds and lepidopterans were assessed using a retrospective case-control study, while social effects were evaluated through a descriptive survey distributed to nearby residents. The results indicate no significant difference in bird or lepidopteran populations before and after wind farm construction. However, there was considerable variation between wind farms on the effects on birds and lepidopterans. The perceived effects by residents correlate closely with their attitudes towards wind energy, with negative attitudes associating with negative perceived effects across all phases of wind farm development.Long-term investigations are warranted to comprehensively understand potential impacts on avian and lepidopteran species, especially includinglocal conditions. Further, wind farm developers are advised to prioritize community engagement and communication to foster positive attitudes and mitigate residents’ perceived impact.