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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411967
Research Project: Biological Control and Habitat Restoration for Invasive Weed Management

Location: Pest Management Research

Title: Mixed responses of tenebrionid beetles to solar energy development in the Mojave Desert

Author
item GRODSKY, STEVE - Cornell University
item Campbell, Joshua
item Roeder, Karl
item WAITE, EVAN - Arizona State University
item WRIGHT, ETHAN - Arizona State University
item JOHNSTON, ANDREW - Arizona State University

Submitted to: Journal of Arid Environments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2024
Publication Date: 8/30/2024
Citation: Grodsky, S.M., Campbell, J.W., Roeder, K.A., Waite, E.S., Wright, E.R., Johnston, A.M. 2024. Mixed responses of tenebrionid beetles to solar energy development in the Mojave Desert. Journal of Arid Environments. Volume 225. Article 105243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105243.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105243

Interpretive Summary: The construction of solar energy facilities in desert regions may affect desert ecosystems. Darkling beetles (Family Tenebrionidae) are commonly found in arid environments and are sensitive to habitat changes. We collected tenebrionid beetles from different solar facility site preparation practices to determine how solar development may affect these important desert beetles. We found that blading (e.g., bulldozing of vegetation) caused a significant decrease in tenebrionid abundance and diversity compared to other site preparation techniques. Our results demonstrate the value of understanding insect responses to solar energy development decisions in deserts to help inform management of natural resources during the solar energy construction and expansion.

Technical Abstract: Solar energy development causes land-use change and habitat alteration that may affect desert ecosystems. Tenebrionid beetles have evolved to exploit desert environments and heavily contribute to ecosystem functionality in aridlands, yet their species-specific, ecological responses to solar energy development are unknown. Our objective was to elucidate effects of solar energy development decisions at a solar power facility (392 MW) on a tenebrionid beetle community in the Mojave Desert. We used pitfall traps to collect tenebrionid beetles in treatments representing variably intense site preparation practices and conservation measures, including blading (i.e., bulldozing), mowing, and establishment of undeveloped patches in solar fields, replicated across three power blocks comprising the facility and in undeveloped control sites surrounding the facility. Seven years post-construction, blading caused significant, deleterious effects on tenebrionid beetle abundance, species richness, and diversity. Ordination and indicator analysis revealed apparent overlap with non-bladed treatments and controls, suggesting that intermediate levels of disturbance from less intensive solar energy development decisions may serve to minimize negative effects of solar energy development on tenebrionids and may even be conducive to the habitat requirements of tenebrionids in the Mojave Desert. Our results demonstrate the value of understanding variable responses of invertebrates to solar energy development decisions in deserts to inform real-world adaptive management of natural resources during the renewable energy transition.