Abstract

Modeling population fragmentation impacts of solar energy development
Track: Conservation
Authors: Philip Murphy, Serene Ong, Naicong Li

Our work provides design support to solar energy projects for minimizing impacts on sensitive species. The model enables real-time assessment of solar energy project impacts on Mojave Desert Tortoise population fragmentation, as connectivity is essential to population survival. The model is part of a spatial decision support system and contributes to a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of potential impacts. Our approach is applicable to other species and landscape change scenarios.