proposed future research and possible mitigating strategies are listed in Table 1.3. 1.6.4 Effects on Ecosystems The rectenna site ecosystems may be affected by chronic exposure to microwave radiation levels of approximately 23 mW/cm^. Chronic levels of microwave radiation 1lmW/cm^ will be experienced outside the exclusion zone. Both high and low levels may produce effects. The possible effects, their assumed impacts based on the existing state of knowledge, their probability and severity ratings, proposed future research and possible mitigating strategies are listed in Table. 1.4. As a result of a review of the biological effects of microwave radiation (see Ref. 1.8.1) a decision has been made to study the effects of microwave radiation on airborne species that are expected to inhabit or pass through typical rectenna sites. Specific studies directed towards the impact on bees and birds are of the highest priority. Birds in flight are close to their thermal limit, and passing through the microwave beam may impose a sufficient additional thermal burden to be lethal. Furthermore, because birds apparently use the earth’s magnetic field as a navigational aid, the strong electromagnetic beam may disturb their navigation patterns. Bees are important because of their impact on the pollenization process and therefore on man’s food supply, and because they are similar to higher animals with respect to biochemical, physiological and behavioral characteristics. Bees are relatively easy to handle experimentally and have a short life cycle; therefore, they are attractive experimental subjects. 1.7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Studies of the dependence of microwave biological effects on the complexity of fields established in standard exposure systems will also be undertaken. These studies are high priority since they will provide a method of correlating effects obtained at low microwave intensities but using different exposure systems and will aid in the retrospective interpretation of existing literature. It will also aid in defining exposure .parameters for future experiments.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==