Key factors and pathways through which photovoltaic arrays mediate changes in microclimate, vegetation, and soil in a rocky desertification ecosystem
Description
Data Description Research Hypothesis We investigated flat-top PV arrays to test two hypotheses: (i) PV arrays improve local microclimatic conditions by reducing light exposure, lowering wind speed, and ameliorating water and heat regimes; and (ii) these microclimatic modifications increase soil fertility and plant diversity. Data Presented Two compact weather stations and soil sensors were installed in each of three sub-array sites and three reference areas in March 2023 . Measured microclimate parameters include (60‑minute intervals) air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity, soil water content, wind speed and light intensity. Soil properties (dry season in April 2023 and rainy season in September 2023, 0–20 cm layer, five replicates): soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), hydrolysable nitrogen (HN), available potassium (AK), bulk density (BD), pH. Vegetation and root characteristics (growing season in September 2023): species number, coverage, height, frequency; Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index, Pielou evenness index; aboveground biomass (oven‑dried at 60°C to constant weight); root morphological parameters (0–50 cm depth, including number of root tips, number of forks, mean diameter, root length density, root surface area density, root volume density), obtained by scanning with an Epson scanner (Expression 10000XL) and analysis using WinRHIZO Pro 2021c.
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Steps to reproduce
In March 2023, two compact weather stations and soil sensors were installed in each of three sub-array sites and three reference areas to continuously measure atmospheric conditions (air and soil temperature, air relative humidity and soil water content, wind speed, and light intensity). Data were recorded at 60-min intervals. Within the arrays, the meteorological station was positioned at the center, directly beneath a PV panel. In each area, five replicate soil samples were obtained during April (dry season) and September (rainy season) of 2023 with a 5 cm diameter auger from the 0–20 cm soil layer. Visible debris, roots, and stones were removed, and samples were screened using a 2 mm mesh. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined by the potassium dichromate oxidation–oil bath method; The semi-micro Kjeldahl method was used for total nitrogen (TN), the alkaline dissolution–diffusion method for hydrolyzed nitrogen (HN), ammonium acetate–flame photometry for available potassium (AK), and the cutting-ring method for bulk density (BD). Soil pH was determined using a potentiometer at a 1:2.5 soil-to-water ratio (Bao, 2000). Vegetation and root survey were conducted in September 2023 (growing season). Within each 2 m × 2 m quadrat, all plant species were identified, with species count, cover, height, and frequency then recorded. Species diversity was assessed using the Margalef richness index (R), Shannon-Wiener index (H) (Mulya et al., 2021), Simpson dominance index (D), and Pielou evenness index (J) (Travlos et al., 2018). Aboveground biomass collection was followed by oven-dried at 60°C until the weight stabilized. Belowground roots (0–50 cm depth) were carefully excavated, washed, and scanned with an Epson digital scanner (Expression 10000XL) and analyzed with WinRHIZO Pro 2021c to determine morphological traits including number of root tips, root forks, average diameter, root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density.
Institutions
- Southwest Forestry UniversityYunnan, Kunming