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Contributed Poster

Session: Biodiversity

PS 39-72 - Making solar power work for all: How insects are colonizing these novel habitats

Wednesday, August 9, 2023
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PDT
Location: ESA Exhibit Hall
Abstract: As the world’s population and demand for energy continues to increase, we are also experiencing a rapid increase in utility-scale renewable energy, such as solar power. Ohio is in the midst of a large solar boom, in which many solar fields are converted to something known as “solar prairies.” The native, flowering vegetation in a solar prairie is meant to attract pollinators—particularly native insect pollinators—to boost the economic and ecological value of the land. As solar prairies continue to surface in Ohio and throughout the Midwest, we are still facing a large knowledge gap regarding best management practices. To help bridge this gap, we surveyed plant cover and insect composition at five Midwestern solar prairies. Each solar prairie has three microhabitats: (1) the buffer zone that surrounds the solar array, which contains taller, sun-loving forbs, (2) the aisles between the panels, which are partially shaded and contain shorter vegetation, and (3) the area beneath the panels that is constantly shaded. We first surveyed rough plant cover (e.g., percent grass, forb, vine, woody) using 10 quadrats (0.38m2 diameter) in each microhabitat, and then used site records and the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative assessment form to rank the percentage and diversity of forbs in each prairie’s buffer zone and aisles. Using pitfall traps (12 per site), we surveyed ground-dwelling insects in all three microhabitats. Using pan traps (8 per site) and sweepnets (8 sets per site), we surveyed pollinators and a wider range of insects in the buffer zones and aisles. Excluding bees, all insects were sorted to order level identification; bees were sorted to species. Overall, general insect diversity and bee diversity were greatest in solar prairies with a more diverse assemblage of native flowering species (20+ species total). Among microhabitats, insect and bee diversity were also greatest in more diverse buffer zones (17+ species) and aisles (7+ species). Our research provides crucial insight into best solar prairie management practices to promote pollinator diversity. Additionally, our data provides insight into which seed mixes are promoting native bee presence, opposed to non-native bees, like the European honey bee. With recent reports of insect and pollinator declines, along with a rapid increase in solar array installation, co-locating solar arrays with prairie vegetation is a compelling strategy to unite clean energy initiatives with conservation goals.