Project Overview

Building new solar infrastructure provides opportunities to restore ecosystem function on site, including flower production, pollinator biodiversity and pollination services, 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.