WEST Consulting Biologist Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar, PhD, is lead author of the recently published research article, “Pollinator Habitat in Solar Facilities Has Potential to Support High Diversity of Bee Species,” in the Environmental Research Communications Journal.
Converting agricultural and degraded lands to solar energy production creates a unique opportunity to support diverse bee communities through revegetation. This study highlights the importance of science-driven seed mix design for revegetation to promote pollinator biodiversity at renewable energy projects. By installing a variety of flowering plants at solar facilities, diverse and abundant bee communities can be attracted and sustained at solar facilities. However, selecting the right seed mixes is crucial because plants must be attractive to diverse bee species and able to thrive in the specific conditions of solar facilities without interfering with energy production.
Recent research in Minnesota tested various pollinator mixes and identified 14 plant species that were successfully established over three years. These plants have the potential to support 122 unique bee species throughout their flight seasons, representing 24% of Minnesota’s bee diversity.