A solar park built on restored peatland in Germany hosts more types of birds than nearby agricultural fields, according to new research. The findings suggest that combining renewable energy with habitat restoration can support biodiversity while storing carbon.
The study focused on a 30-hectare site developed by Wattmanufactur, where construction of roads in 2020 helped rewet the land by blocking drainage ditches. Researchers from the University of Greifswald recorded wetland species such as white wagtails, reed buntings and grey herons, along with woodland birds including tree pipits and Eurasian tree sparrows. In contrast, nearby hay fields supported only grassland species like the European goldfinch. Audio recordings showed the solar panels acted as perches for birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels. Hanna Rae Martens, who contributed to the research, noted that the project created habitat for endangered and wetland species without destroying existing ones. Catherine Waite of the University of Cambridge said further studies are needed to compare results with rewetted peatland lacking solar infrastructure. Germany has restored far less peatland than the UK, which has revived 2500 square kilometres, or one-tenth of its damaged total. The Wattmanufactur site is one of just five solar farms operating on rewetted peatland in the country.