Revegetation at green energy sites for pollinator biodiversity and multiple ecosystem goods and services

Building new solar infrastructure provides opportunities to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function on site, including native plant and pollinator biodiversity, and ecosystem services of plant biomass and flower production, pollination, carbon storage, and resistance to invasive species. Restoration of the diverse native plant communities that provide these goods and services is challenged by varying establishment success for different species, and this may be further affected by novel conditions under solar panels or weed management methods. To ensure that plantings support target pollinator species, such as rare or crop-pollinating species, we need to know which flowers establish well, and which species pollinators prefer. This study will address all these questions to improve restoration outcomes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carol Frost;John Acorn;Cameron Carlyle

Student:

Partner:

EPCOR Water Services Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Utilities

University:

University of Alberta

Program: