Solar parks managed respectfully with local biodiversity can have a significant positive impact and attract more bird populations. This was revealed by a recent study by the University of Cambridge and the British environmental organization The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
According to the findings, these solar parks host a greater diversity of bird species and up to three times as many birds compared to agricultural monocultures that usually surround them.
## The benefits of mixed habitat solar parks
The research, published in the journal *Bird Study*, was carried out in East Anglia, England, and compared two types of solar environments:
– **Simple habitat parks**: Intensively managed areas, without hedges and with constant sheep grazing.
– **Mixed habitat parks**: Areas with hedges at the boundaries, no grazing or lawn mowing, and a greater diversity of flowering plants.
The results showed that mixed habitat solar parks can not only attract a greater diversity of birds but also benefit endangered species in the UK, such as corn buntings, yellowhammers, and common linnets.
These findings suggest that environmentally responsible management practices can help mitigate the effects of agricultural intensification and promote the conservation of wild species.
## Renewable energy and conservation: a possible balance
Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB, emphasized the importance of finding a balance between clean energy production and biodiversity protection. “This study demonstrates that it is possible to integrate renewable energy generation and nature conservation in a sustainable way,” she stated.
Joshua Copping, the study’s lead author, highlighted that well-managed solar farms could play a crucial role in reversing the decline of farmland birds, especially in the context of high land demand in the UK.
## The future of solar energy and biodiversity
Catherine Waite, a researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study, emphasized that solar parks can play a dual role: generating clean energy and protecting biodiversity. “If managed correctly, solar parks can be an effective tool to address both the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis,” she asserted.
Conservationists emphasize the need to integrate nature restoration and zero-emission goals in renewable planning. Through strategic approaches, it can be ensured that the environmental benefits of solar energy go beyond decarbonization, also contributing to the conservation of vital ecosystems.
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