New research from UK charity the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the University of Cambridge has found that solar farms in the UK region of East Anglia support a larger number of bird species – and more individual birds – than the surrounding arable land.
The study compared solar farms against arable land hectare-for-hectare and found that solar farms boost East Anglia’s biodiversity by creating a mixed-use landscape.
The findings showed large variations between solar farm management. Areas with greater mixed-use space and intentional wildlife habitats saw almost three times as many birds as arable-dominated land.
Solar farms with mixed habitats also saw the largest populations of endangered bird species over simple habitat farms and arable land. The endangered birds spotted included the yellowhammer, linnet, and corn bunting.
This research demonstrates that mixing nature-focused solar farms in arable-dominated landscapes can drastically benefit the British countryside’s wildlife.
Dr Joshua Copping, lead author of the study and RSPB, commented:
“The results of this study suggest that solar farms managed well for nature could make an important contribution and could provide relief from the effects of agricultural intensification on these species and other wildlife in the surrounding landscape.”
Studying land use
The findings have come at the same time as the UK Government’s consultation on land use in light of its Plan for Change – which aims to reallocate land to build 1.5m new homes, improve energy infrastructure, and form new towns.
The Government will examine the country’s land use and its best strategic use while “protecting UK food security” and boosting the economy.
It will provide local government, farmers, landowners, businesses, and nature groups with its data and form the Land Use Framework.
The UK Government states that this framework and examination of British land use is part of its work towards achieving net zero by 2030.
Meanwhile, the RSPC and University of Cambridge’s findings could demonstrate that locating solar farms in agricultural areas where bird species are already threatened could:
- Improve biodiversity and bird populations.
- Bolster the UK’s clean energy infrastructure.
- Help the UK government reach its climate targets – legally binding under the Paris Climate Agreement.
In a LinkedIn post responding to the new legislation, Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB, said: “Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path.”
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