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- Title
Creating wildlife habitat using artificial structures: a review of their efficacy and potential use in solar farms.
- Authors
Boscarino‐Gaetano, Remo; Vernes, Karl; Nordberg, Eric J.
- Abstract
The biodiversity crisis is exacerbated by a growing human population modifying nearly three‐quarters of the Earth's land surface area for anthropogenic uses. Habitat loss and modification represent the largest threat to biodiversity and finding ways to offset species decline has been a significant undertaking for conservation. Landscape planning and conservation strategies can enhance habitat suitability for biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes. Artificial habitat structures such as artificial reefs, nest boxes, chainsaw hollows, artificial burrows, and artificial hibernacula have all been successfully implemented to improve species survival in human‐modified and fragmented landscapes. As the global shift towards renewable energy sources continues to rise, the development of photovoltaic systems is growing exponentially. Large‐scale renewable projects, such as photovoltaic solar farms have large space requirements and thus have the potential to displace local wildlife. We discuss the feasibility of 'conservoltaic systems' – photovoltaic systems that incorporate elements tailored specifically to enhance wildlife habitat suitability and species conservation. Artificial habitat structures can potentially lessen the impacts of industrial development (e.g., photovoltaic solar farms) through strategic landscape planning and an understanding of local biodiversity requirements to facilitate recolonization.
- Subjects
ARTIFICIAL habitats; HABITATS; PHOTOVOLTAIC power systems; RENEWABLE energy sources; SURFACE of the earth; HABITAT modification
- Publication
Biological Reviews, 2024, Vol 99, Issue 5, p1848
- ISSN
1464-7931
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/brv.13095