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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 162-172.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00103

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Impacts of large-scale desert photovoltaic power stations on the phenotype and biomass distribution characteristics of sand-fixing plants

Yiying Yang1(), Silin Su2, Enzhi Cao1, Hongyou Li1, Hongming Chi1, Kai Lin3, Xudong Wu4, Wenqiang He2, Haotian Yang2()   

  1. 1.Longyuan (Beijing) Solar Technology Co. ,LTD,Beijing 100000,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands / Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
    3.Ningxia Longyuan New Energy Co. ,LTD,Yinchuan 750002,China
    4.Institute of Forestry and Grassland Ecology,Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences,Yinchuan 750002,China
  • Received:2024-09-18 Revised:2024-10-29 Online:2025-01-20 Published:2025-01-13
  • Contact: Haotian Yang

Abstract:

Phenotypic plasticity is a crucial mechanism for plants to adapt to environmental changes. However, its spatial adaptation to large-scale desert photovoltaic power stations remains poorly understood. This study investigated the sand-fixing plants at different positions under and between the photovoltaic panels of large-scale photovoltaic power stations in the southeastern edge of Tengger Desert. It revealed the adaptation mechanisms of sand-fixing plants to photovoltaic power stations from the perspectives of morphology, biomass, and distribution. After implementing ecological restoration, the photovoltaic array significantly altered the individual phenotypes of sand-fixing plants. Plant height, root length, ground diameter, above-ground and below-groundbiomass were significantly reduced under panel compared with inter-panel spaces. There were also varying degrees of differences in inter-panel (lower) spaces. Photovoltaic panels are more conducive to the growth of sand-fixing plants. The root-shoot ratio (R/S) near the rain line of photovoltaic panels is significantly lower than that between them; this serves as an important mechanism for sand fixation plants to adapt to water and light resource redistribution within photovoltaic power stations while conforming to optimal allocation hypothesis. Photovoltaic arrays significantly changed the spatial distribution characteristics of plant communities; species richness, diversity, vegetation coverage, and density were all significantly reduced under PV panels compared with those between them. Photovoltaic arrays also influenced relationships between plant community characteristics and biomass as well as R/S; species richness and plant density regulated both biomass and distribution patterns in sand-fixing vegetation. By modifying environmental conditions such as light and microclimate, photovoltaic arrays exert a significant influence on the growth and R/S of sand-fixing plants. These research findings can serve as a crucial theoretical foundation for promoting sustainable development in large-scale desert photovoltaic power stations and facilitating scientific ecological restoration.

Key words: large-scale desert photovoltaic base, ecological restoration, root-shoot ratio, optimal allocation hypothesis, plant morphology

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