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Assessing the Impact of a Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Facility on a Down Gradient Mojave Desert Ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • Dale A. Devitt

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • Lorenzo Apodaca

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • Brian Bird

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • John P. Dawyot

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • Lynn Fenstermaker

    (Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Matthew D. Petrie

    (School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

Abstract

A field study was conducted in the Mojave Desert (USA) to assess the influence of a large photo voltaic facility on heat and water transport into an adjacent creosote ( Larrea tridentata ) bursage ( Ambrosia dumosa ) plant community. Air temperature, plant physiological status, soil water in storage and precipitation were monitored over a two to four year period. A service road built 27 years before the construction of the PV facility decoupled the wash system at the site leading to a significant decline in soil moisture, canopy level NDVI values and mid-day leaf xylem water potentials ( p < 0.001) down gradient from the PV facility. Measurements along a 900 m gradient suggested that plants closer to where the wash was decoupled were placed under significantly greater stress during the higher environmental demand summer months. Air temperatures measured at three 10 m meteorological towers revealed warmer night time temperatures at the two towers located in close association with the solar facility (Inside Facility—IF and Adjacent to facility—AF), compared to the Down Gradient Control tower (DGC). As the warmer air was displaced down gradient, the temperature front advanced into the creosote—bursage plant community with values 5 to 8 °C warmer along an east west front just north of tower AF. Based on our research in Eldorado Valley, NV, USA, a down gradient zone of about 300 m was impacted to the greatest extent (water and heat), suggesting that the spacing between solar facilities will be a critical factor in terms of preserving high quality habitat for the desert tortoise and other species of concern. Greater research is needed to identify habitat zones acceptable for animal populations (especially the desert tortoise) within areas of high solar energy development and this should be done prior to any fragmentation of the ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Dale A. Devitt & Lorenzo Apodaca & Brian Bird & John P. Dawyot & Lynn Fenstermaker & Matthew D. Petrie, 2022. "Assessing the Impact of a Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Facility on a Down Gradient Mojave Desert Ecosystem," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:8:p:1315-:d:888783
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Steven M. Grodsky & Rebecca R. Hernandez, 2020. "Reduced ecosystem services of desert plants from ground-mounted solar energy development," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1036-1043, December.
    2. Abbasi, S. A. & Abbasi, Naseema, 2000. "The likely adverse environmental impacts of renewable energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(1-4), pages 121-144, April.
    3. Sarah M. Jordaan & Junghun Lee & Maureen R. McClung & Matthew D. Moran, 2021. "Quantifying the ecosystem services values of electricity generation in the US Chihuahuan Desert: A life cycle perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(4), pages 1089-1101, August.
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    1. Tamara Wynne-Sison & Dale A. Devitt & Stanley D. Smith, 2023. "Ecovoltaics: Maintaining Native Plants and Wash Connectivity inside a Mojave Desert Solar Facility Leads to Favorable Growing Conditions," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-24, October.

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