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Jarčuška B, Gálffyová M, Schnürmacher R, Baláž M, Mišík M, Repel M, Fulín M, Kerestúr D, Lackovičová Z, Mojžiš M, Zámečník M, Kaňuch P, Krištín A. Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119902. [PMID: 38171122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Solar photovoltaic power parks are a relatively new anthropogenic habitat that will become more widespread in the future. The greatest potential for solar photovoltaic power production is on arable land and grassland. Knowledge on the impacts of solar parks on biodiversity is scarce and spatially limited. We investigated the impact of ground-mounted solar parks on species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity and composition of bird communities in Slovakia (Central Europe), taking into account pre-construction land cover, elevation and landscape context. We recorded breeding, foraging or perching birds on 32 solar park plots and 32 adjacent control plots (two hectares each) during single breeding season. We found that solar parks supported higher total bird species richness and diversity, and richness and abundance of invertebrate-eaters, and that the abundance of ground-foragers was higher in solar parks developed on grassland than in grassland control plots. Ordination analysis showed that solar parks had a different composition of bird communities and thus increased overall species diversity and beta diversity in the agricultural landscapes studied. Plot type and landscape context accounted for most of the variation in bird community composition. Black redstart, European stonechat, white wagtail and Eurasian tree sparrow were identified as indicator species for solar parks. The observed pattern could be due to the higher structural diversity of solar parks. The solar parks studied were designed and managed exclusively for electricity production. It can therefore be assumed that solar parks designed and managed in synergy with a stronger focus on wildlife would have an even greater positive impact on bird diversity in an agricultural landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Jarčuška
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia.
| | - Monika Gálffyová
- Gemer-Malohont Museum, Nám. M. Tompu 14/5, 979 01, Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia
| | - Richard Schnürmacher
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Baláž
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Education, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Hrabovská Cesta 1, 034 01, Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | | | - Matej Repel
- Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia, Námestie Osloboditeľov 1, 071 01, Michalovce, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Anton Krištín
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia
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Kim JY, Kubo T, Nishihiro J. Mobile phone data reveals spatiotemporal recreational patterns in conservation areas during the COVID pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20282. [PMID: 37985851 PMCID: PMC10660657 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding visitation patterns is crucial in developing effective conservation strategies for protected areas, as it serves as an indicator for operating an ecosystem management plan that balances biodiversity and ecosystem services intertwined with public health and social benefits. However, limited data availability during the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the comprehensive understanding of temporal changes in realized cultural ecosystem services, particularly in recreational activities within these areas. Our study utilized GPS data from mobile phones to quantify visitor characteristics and their contribution to recreational ecosystem services in protected areas at a national scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the pandemic's relative impact on visitor patterns at 98 visitor centers in national parks and Ramsar sites in Japan. The total number of visitors and travel distance in various sizes of protected areas decreased after the outbreak of COVID-19. The number of visitors in the protected areas displayed a quick recovery despite the increasing positive COVID-19 cases during the following summer. Post-pandemic, visitors showed a preference for less densely populated protected areas closer to their home range. Our findings partly suggest that protecting a diverse range of conservation areas along the urban gradient could be an effective strategy for maintaining the resilience of recreational services during a prolonged pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yoon Kim
- Department of Biological Science, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, 54150, Republic of Korea
| | - Takahiro Kubo
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan.
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
| | - Jun Nishihiro
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
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Diamond SE, Bellino G, Deme GG. Urban insect bioarks of the 21st century. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 57:101028. [PMID: 37024047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Insects exhibit divergent biodiversity responses to cities. Many urban populations are not at equilibrium: biodiversity decline or recovery from environmental perturbation is often still in progress. Substantial variation in urban biodiversity patterns suggests the need to understand its mechanistic basis. In addition, current urban infrastructure decisions might profoundly influence future biodiversity trends. Although many nature-based solutions to urban climate problems also support urban insect biodiversity, trade-offs are possible and should be avoided to maximize biodiversity-climate cobenefits. Because insects are coping with the dual threats of urbanization and climate change, there is an urgent need to design cities that facilitate persistence within the city footprint or facilitate compensatory responses to global climate change as species transit through the city footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Diamond
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Grace Bellino
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Gideon G Deme
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Hirano Y, Kobayashi M, Hashimoto Y, Kato H, Nishihiro J. Effect of local‐ and landscape‐scale factors on the distribution of the spring‐dependent species
Geothelphusa dehaani
and larval
Anotogaster sieboldii. Ecol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Hirano
- Department of Environmental Science Toho University Funabashi Japan
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba Japan
| | - Miho Kobayashi
- Department of Environmental Science Toho University Funabashi Japan
| | - Yuka Hashimoto
- Department of Environmental Science Toho University Funabashi Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Department of Environmental Science Toho University Funabashi Japan
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba Japan
| | - Jun Nishihiro
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba Japan
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Applying Ecological Succession Theory to Birds in Solar Parks: An Approach to Address Protection and Planning. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11050718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Renewable energy production will require large areas of land; production sites should be designed to include biodiversity conservation. Guidance for decision-makers on reasonable coexistence is needed. We use time-series data alongside a meta-study on birds in solar parks, utilizing succession theory to indicate which bird groups can thrive in solar parks. Using an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach, we documented biodiversity and conditions at a 6 ha site in the newly created post-mining landscape of Lusatia, Germany, for 16 years, grouping avian species depending on the ecosystem state in which they were observed. In a key mid-period of early succession lasting eight years, the avifauna was characterized by successional groups 2, herbaceous plant-preferring, ground-breeding species; and 3, open shrub-preferring species. The preceding and following groups were: (1) pioneer bird species that prefer open ground; and (4), pre-forest species. Comparison of these data with available bird monitoring in solar parks showed that bird species of groups 2 and 3 can also successfully settle in open-space solar parks that have some natural habitat attributes, whereas this is hardly possible for the preceding and following groups. Using this information, opportunities for habitat improvement are facilitated, and potential conflicts can be addressed more purposefully.
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Assessment of Waterfront Office Redevelopment Plan on Optimal Building Arrangements with Rooftop Photovoltaics: A Case Study for Shinagawa, Tokyo. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15030883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Designing waterfront redevelopment generally focuses on attractiveness, leisure, and beauty, resulting in various types of building and block shapes with limited considerations on environmental aspects. However, increasing climate change impacts necessitate these buildings to be sustainable, resilient, and zero CO2 emissions. By producing five scenarios (plus existing buildings) with constant floor areas, we investigated how buildings and district forms with building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) affect energy consumption and production, self-sufficiency, CO2 emission, and energy costs in the context of waterfront redevelopment in Tokyo. From estimated hourly electricity demands of the buildings, techno-economic analyses were conducted for rooftop PV systems for 2018 and 2030 with declining costs of rooftop PV systems. We found that environmental building designs with rooftop PV system are increasingly economical in Tokyo with CO2 emission reduction of 2–9% that depends on rooftop sizes. Payback periods drop from 14 years in 2018 to 6 years in 2030. Toward net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, immediate actions are necessary to install rooftop PVs on existing and new buildings with energy efficiency improvements by construction industry and building owners. To facilitate such actions, national and local governments need to adopt appropriate policies.
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Shiono T, Kubota Y, Kusumoto B. Area-based conservation planning in Japan: The importance of OECMs in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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