Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
Published on: June 8, 2015
Effect of land-based solar power development on ecosystem functions in global terrestrial ecosystems
Lingfan Wan1, Guohua Liu1, Jinhao Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
None:
The expansion of photovoltaic (PV) plant infrastructure is occurring at a rapid pace; yet, our comprehension of the impacts of PV plants on ecosystem functions in terrestrial environments remains limited. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the patterns of ecosystem functions in response to land-based solar power development across various terrestrial ecosystems. Results showed that PV plants significantly enhanced biodiversity maintenance and primary production in grassland and desert ecosystems, primarily ascribed to the augmentation of soil moisture. However, PV plants decreased primary production in crop due to a decrease in photosynthetically active radiation. The influence of site selection (including elevation, mean annual temperature and precipitation) on terrestrial ecosystem functions in PV plant installations was found to be statistically significant. Our findings suggest that RR of primary production and soil quality regulation decreased with mean annual temperature but increased with elevation. Overall, we advocate for further future research to assess the ecological impacts of PV plants, aiming to enhance site selection and implement adaptive management measures for PV plant operations.
More Related Videos
09:23JenaTron - An Experimental Approach to Study the Effects of Plant History and Soil History on Grassland Ecosystem Functioning
Published on: March 21, 2025
10:19A CO2 Concentration Gradient Facility for Testing CO2 Enrichment and Soil Effects on Grassland Ecosystem Function
Published on: November 21, 2015
Related Concept Videos
The Soil Ecosystem
What is an Ecosystem?
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Ecological Disturbance
Sustainable Development
Global Climate Change