# Insect Community Diversity in Photovoltaic Power Station and Its Response to Environmental Factors

## TL;DR

This study examines how insect diversity in a desert steppe changes due to a photovoltaic power station and how environmental factors influence these changes.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific environmental drivers of insect diversity within and outside a PV power station in a desert steppe.

## Key findings

- Phytophagous insect diversity and abundance were higher outside the PV station compared to inside.
- Predatory insect abundance was also higher outside the PV station, but their diversity was not significantly different.
- Soil nutrients and vegetation height were key environmental factors influencing insect communities.

## Abstract

The variation in insect diversity serves as a sensitive indicator of environmental disturbance, and studying the impact of photovoltaic (PV) power station construction on insect diversity is crucial for assessing its long-term ecological effects. This study investigated the diversity of insect communities and their driving mechanisms in a desert steppe PV power station in Ningxia. By analyzing the composition and diversity communities across different areas of the PV power station, we further elucidated the key drivers affecting the diversity of insect groups with varying feeding habits. Our results demonstrate that the observed differences are determined by the synergistic effects of multiple environmental factors.

To investigate the impact of PV power station construction on insect community diversity in the desert steppe of Ningxia and its response to environmental factors, insect communities were surveyed in different areas within the PV station (both under and between PV panels) and outside the station. The species composition, diversity differences, and responses to environmental factors of insect communities in these areas were analyzed. The results showed that a total of 19,833 insect specimens, belonging to 68 species and 23 families, were collected across different areas of the PV station. The dominant species within the PV station (both under and between PV panels) were Labidura riparia japonica (Dermaptera: Labiduridae), Harpalus sinicus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Harpalus calceatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), while outside the station, the dominant species were L. r. japonica, H. sinicus, H. calceatus and Harpalus pallidipennis (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The number of species by feeding habit ranked as follows: phytophagous insects > predatory insects, whereas the abundance of individuals followed the order: predatory insects > phytophagous insects. The species richness, abundance, Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener index and Pielou evenness index of phytophagous insects were significantly higher outside the PV power station than inside (both under and between PV panels). In contrast, Simpson dominance index was significantly lower outside the PV power station compared to inside (both under and between PV panels). For predatory insects, no significant differences were observed in species richness, Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index, or Pielou evenness index among different PV panel areas. However, the abundance of predatory insects was significantly higher outside the PV power station than inside (both under and between PV panels); phytophagous insects in the PV station were primarily positively driven by soil nutrients (total nitrogen, available potassium), whereas predatory insect diversity was more responsive to soil organic matter and nitrogen levels. Both predatory and phytophagous insects showed a significant negative correlation with vegetation height. This study holds significant importance for exploring biodiversity conservation within PV power stations, providing a scientific basis for the planning, design, and implementation of ecological protection measures during the operation of PV station in Ningxia’s desert steppe.