Solar Park: Opportunity or Threat for Vegetation and Ecosystem

Abstract

Solar parks are currently considered a new source of energy generation and one of the methods for reducing the usage of fossil fuels. The studies related to the influence of solar parks on vegetation structure are not yet sufficient. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the structure of vegetation biodiversity within a solar park. The vegetation assessment took place in the solar park, located in the cadastral territory of Tišnov (Czech Republic). A total of 85 taxa of vascular plants were found. The vegetation of the solar park is species-rich and significantly fragmented. Perennial grasses and perennial dicots dominate between the panels, whereas annual grasses and annual dicots have more coverage under the photovoltaic (PV) panels. The influence of the solar park microclimate is seen in a higher representation of species with the indication of characteristics mid-continental, and species with the indication of characteristics mid-ocean are more represented among within the PV panels. The vegetation of the solar park is noteworthy from the perspective of biological importance in the agricultural landscape and has a substantial potential to perform ecosystem functions.