Native plants typically planted in solar farms to enhance biodiversity include native grasses and wildflowers, which provide critical habitat and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife. These native plantings have shown substantial benefits in increasing insect biodiversity, especially native bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hornets, and wasps.
Key types of native plants involved are:
- Native grasses: Native prairie grasses grow well under and around solar panels, offering shelter and habitat for insects. Their restoration is especially important because much of North America’s native grasslands have been lost, which has negatively impacted native bee populations.
- Native wildflowers and flowering plants: These include a variety of native wildflowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, providing nectar and pollen resources essential for pollinators. The increase in flowering plants spurs a rise in the abundance and diversity of insect pollinators visiting solar farms.
The planted native vegetation not only supports insect biodiversity but also benefits nearby agricultural crops by enhancing pollinator visitation, which helps improve crop production.
Moreover, the establishment of native plant habitats at solar farms aids in restoring natural ecosystems, managing soil and water on site, and attracting additional wildlife such as birds. Organizations like the Xerces Society are working to certify solar installations that maintain robust native plant habitats, ensuring these benefits are maximized and sustained over time.
In summary, solar farms are commonly planted with a mix of native grasses and native wildflowers to bolster biodiversity by creating pollinator-friendly habitats, restoring prairie ecosystems, and supporting broader wildlife populations. This approach turns solar farms into dual-use landscapes beneficial for both clean energy and ecological conservation.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-types-of-native-plants-are-typically-planted-in-solar-farms-to-enhance-biodiversity/
