Presented By: Dan Salas, University of Illinois Chicago; Laura Fox, Argonne National Lab; James McCall, National Renewable Energy Lab; Tristan Barley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Lee Walston, Argonne National Lab; Ben Campbell, University of Illinois Chicago; Jordan Martin, National Renewable Energy Lab
Ecological Value/Monitoring
If You Build It, Will They Come? Insect Community Responses to Habitat Establishment at Solar Energy Facilities in Minnesota, USA
This case study highlights the relatively rapid (<4 year) insect community responses to grassland restoration activities and provides support for solar-pollinator habitat as a feasible conservation practice to safeguard biodiversity and increase food security in agricultural landscapes.
Establishment of Wildflower Islands to Enhance Roadside Health, Ecological Value, and Aesthetics: Phase II
This report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln determines the seeding and mowing practices that effectively improve the health and variety of roadside plants in Nebraska.
Powerline Corridors Can Add Ecological Value to Suburban Landscapes When Not Maintained as Lawn
This study shows that both old-field- and prairie-managed powerline corridors add habitat value to Midwestern U.S. suburban landscapes by providing alternative habitat types that support many species.
The Contribution of Powerline Rights-of-Way to the Ecological Health of the Chicago Metropolitan Region – February 2, 2023
This case study highlights a research study conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) on ComEd’s rights-of-way in the Chicago region. UIC researchers evaluated three different vegetation management practices for insect, bird, and plant species richness as well as adjacent landowner perceptions.
Evaluating Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) Techniques To Improve Pollinator Habitat
This report discusses some of the potential benefits and challenges associated with Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s transition to meadow management. The pollinator friendly vegetation management guidelines in this report are timely and practical to implement on a landscape scale.
Milkweed Plant Detection Using Mobile Cameras
This paper describes autonomous detection of milkweed plants using cameras mounted to vehicles. The detections were used to calculate approximate densities of milkweed plants in geo-referenced locations based on global positioning system point correspondences of recorded images. Probability-of-count distributions are compared for the actual milkweed plant locations near roadsides. This is one of the first examples of using automated milkweed plant detection and density mapping using a vehicle-mounted camera.
Native Species for Roadslope Revegetation: Selection, Validation, and Cost Effectiveness
This paper published by Restoration Ecology outlines a study performed in Spain that evaluated a procedure to select suitable native species for roadslope revegetation, validated the procedure by means of field sowing experiments, and assessed the cost effectiveness of using native seed mixes as compared to commercial ones.
Examining the Potential for Agricultural Benefits from Pollinator Habitat at Solar Facilities in the United States
This Environment Science & Technology paper focuses on the benefits that can be realized from pollinator habitat at solar facilities across United States.
Enhancing Habitat Connectivity Through Corporate Conservation: The Private Sector Role in Reconnecting Habitat for Ecosystem Health and Resiliency
This white paper prepared by Wildlife Habitat Council features six case studies from corporate landowners engaged in conservation initiatives to reduce habitat fragmentation and enhance ecological connectivity.