A study carried out in 20 solar parks in the south of France found that soil diversity and respiration decrease significantly under the panels, especially in dug-out areas, while plant characteristics such as height and leaf area can increase under grazing. Researchers have pointed out that climate, system type, and sun shade affect soil structure and plant responses.
A French research team analyzed the effect of solar parks on soil fauna, respiration and plant characteristics collecting samples from 20 parks in the south of France.
“This study has several novel components,” co-author Arnaud Lec’hvien said. pv magazine. “Firstly, the research was carried out across two areas with different climates, and there are many areas examined in each area. Second, we compared two management methods: mowing and grazing. Thirdly, many new species were studied, especially the functional characteristics of plants and soil nutrients.”
Lec’hvien added that the results show a decrease in biodiversity under the solar panels. He added: “However, the most surprising thing that has been found is that the food web of the soil is more affected by the areas that are cut down than those that are grazed.
The study focused on functional characteristics, soil physicochemical characteristics, soil fauna subgroups, and soil respiration.
It was held in the two southern regions of France—Atlantic and Mediterranean—which differ in climate, soil types and vegetation. In each area, ten solar parks were selected: five controlled by mowing and five by pasture. In each park, three locations were studied: under the solar panels, between the rows of panels, and in the unshaded area. Each treatment was replicated in four plots in each garden.
Measurements in the Mediterranean were carried out in May 2023 and in the Atlantic in June 2023. Some tests were carried out in the area, while some samples were taken to the laboratory. Each sample consisted of a composite sample, 6 cm deep, from the same location within the park. The team measured the characteristics of the plant; soil properties including temperature, moisture, and nutrients; soil animals such as mites and springtails; and soil respiration as an indicator of biological activity.
The results showed species richness was 37.5% lower under the panels compared to non-irrigated areas, while chlorophyll increased by about 12%. In the grassland parks, the height of the plants under the panels increased up to 72%, and the specific leaf area increased up to 46%. Soil temperature was 2-4.5°C lower under the panels, and soil moisture was reduced by up to 42% in the Mediterranean region.
Land animals were greatly affected by the solar panels. Springtail abundance decreased by 74–76% under the panels, and fauna as a whole decreased by approximately 38%. Insectivores have decreased by about 45-65% in Atlantic areas, while carnivorous insects have shown no significant change.
Meanwhile, soil respiration, a measure of biological activity, was found to drop by about 62% overall, with a reduction of more than 50% in the Mediterranean and 55-58% in the Atlantic parks. Grazed Atlantic sites did not show a significant effect.
Lec’hvien said: “Future research will examine how the climate in each region affects the impact of solar panels by comparing them to open grasslands.” “This work will investigate the interaction between plants and soil, as well as the trophic interaction among soil fauna, including macro- and mesofauna.”
The research work is described in “Effects of solar devices and management on soil fauna, respiration and plant characteristics in solar parks of two southern regions of France,” published Journal of Environmental Management. Scientists from the University of Aix Marseille in France, the University of Avignon, the University of Montpellier, the University of Tours and the French energy company Engie participated in this study.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to collaborate with us and want to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
Popular content
#Solar #parks #change #soil #diversity #vegetation #characteristics