<
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/01/22/us-solar-sites-linked-to-higher-levels-of-insects/>
"A research team from the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory
and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have said that insect levels
have tripled in less than five years at two solar sites built on retired
agricultural land in southern Minnesota.
Native grass and wildflowers were planted at the two solar facilities, operated
by Enel Green Power North America, in early 2018. Between August 2018 and
August 2022, the research group conducted 358 observational surveys of
flowering vegetation and insect communities.
They found that total insect levels tripled, with native bees showing a 20-fold
increase in numbers. The most commonly observed insect groups were beetles,
flies and moths. An increase in native plant species was also noted, while
pollinators from the solar sites were seen visiting and pollinating soybean
flowers in adjacent crop fields.
Lee Waltson, a landscape ecologist and environmental scientist who was the lead
author of the study, said the research “highlights the relatively rapid insect
community responses to habitat restoration at solar energy sites.”
“It demonstrates that, if properly sited, habitat-friendly solar energy can be
a feasible way to safeguard insect populations and can improve the pollination
services in adjacent agricultural fields,” said Waltson."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
