Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences

First Advisor

Robin Choudhury

Second Advisor

Engil Pereira

Third Advisor

Alexis Racelis

Abstract

As the human population grows, demand for agriculture and renewable energy rises. Landuse competition is caused by the expansion of area-intensive solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities. While solar energy is crucial to mitigate climate change, it presents challenges related to land availability and effects on habitats for essential pollinators. In Chapter II, a spatial analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between solar panel density and pollinator diversity, exploring regions with the least interaction between these two factors. Our findings can inform solar siting and management strategies at landscape levels, in conjunction with field studies, that both mitigate potential interaction and catalyze benefits in solar-pollinator interactions across the United States. In Chapter III, an artificial shade structure intended to mimic solar panels was installed on a 5-acre farm in the Rio Grande Valley. The study investigated how shading influences vegetation health, disease severity, flower count, cucumber yield, and insect diversity. We found that the structure negatively affected plant health, but the pollinator activity had no significant change. These chapters provide an overview of both spatial and fieldwork, offering a broader understanding of the effects of renewable energy, biodiversity, and agricultural landscapes.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Deisy Garcia. https://proquest.com/docview/3240684097

Download

Share

COinS