Increased bird diversity around small-scale solar energy plants in agricultural landscape

Abstract

The increasing demand for energy, coupled with the imperative to curtail the combustion of natural raw materials and mitigate global warming, necessitates the exploitation of alternative energy sources. Renewable energy sources include solar energy plants (PV), however research on the effects of utility-scale plants on fauna has been limited. Most studies have focused on extensive PV in natural habitats like savanna or deserts, so these studies are not directly applicable to European contexts where many PV are placed in farmland. Our study involved an analysis of avifauna diversity within PV and the impact of these plants on more common bird species in farmland in Poland. We conducted surveys at 43 PV with an area not exceeding 5.3 ha and 43 control sites, finding that PV generally enhanced avifauna diversity. Notably, the Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) and Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) occurred in significantly bigger numbers on PV. Conversely, only the Skylark (Alauda arvensis) exhibited a significant negative reaction to the presence of PV. The PV probably provide safe breeding sites, grassy areas that are mown late in the season or left unmown, and fences that serve as observation points, foraging sites, and singing perches for birds. Our results are specific to relatively small, isolated PV that are typical in Poland and central Europe; further research is warranted to assess the impact of larger PV on avian populations and on particular aspects of bird life traits as well as presence and density.