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Coexisting birds and solar energy

June 23, 2025 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

Floating photovoltaic systems – known as floatovoltaics – are becoming increasingly popular. These are arrays of solar panels installed over artificial water bodies such as irrigation ponds, wastewater treatment plants, and reservoirs. These projects maximize the space for producing clean energy while not taking up natural lands.

Wherever there are bodies of water, there are waterbirds. A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis looked at the potential impact of floating solar projects on birds and other wildlife.

Birds face many threats from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and disease. Many bird populations are in decline. So, it is important to consider the effects of floating solar projects on birds.

The researchers have observed birds resting on floating solar structures before dawn, birds jockeying for favorable sites on the structures, and some nesting under the panels. These are positive interactions. On the other hand, it is possible that pollutants could be released or leached from floating solar infrastructure. Such risks must be mitigated.

Floating solar on irrigation ponds and reservoirs can reduce evaporation and reduce algae growth, which benefits both humans and wildlife.

The researchers will continue to monitor bird behavior at floating solar installations using expertise in ecology and energy system science to identify risks and solution pathways so that negative impacts are avoided, and potential ecological benefits are realized. It is important that as floating solar continues to become more popular, it and waterbirds can coexist.

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Helping Birds and Floating Solar Energy Coexist

Photo, posted February 28, 2019, courtesy of Renee Grayson via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Polar bears and the changing climate

March 7, 2024 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

The changing climate poses a major threat to polar bear survival. Polar bears, whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, depend on sea ice for nearly all of their lifecycle functions. Rising global temperatures are causing this sea ice to disappear.

With less sea ice, polar bears are forced to stay longer on land. However, according to a new study led by researchers from Washington State University, more time stranded on land leads to a greater risk of polar bear starvation.

During three summer weeks in Manitoba, Canada, 20 polar bears observed by researchers tried different strategies to maintain energy reserves. But the research team found that nearly all of them lost weight – losing about 2.2 pounds per day on average.

Some scientists have speculated that polar bears might be able to adapt to the changing climate by acting more like grizzly bears by either resting or eating terrestrial food. But the polar bears tried versions of both strategies – with little success.

Polar bears can weigh nearly twice as much as grizzly bears. To maintain this size, polar bears rely on the energy-rich fat of seals, which they best catch on ice.

In the study, which was recently published in Nature Communications, the researchers found that some polar bears laid down to conserve energy, while others searched on land for food. But neither the activity nor the lack thereof paid off. In fact, only one bear out of the 20 gained weight after stumbling across a dead marine mammal on land.

Polar bears across the Arctic are at risk of starvation as the ice-free period continues to grow.

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Polar bears unlikely to adapt to longer summers

Photo, posted November 16, 2015, courtesy of Anita Ritenour via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio