Rewetted peatlands with solar parks boost bird diversity compared to drained grasslands: A German case study

Summary

This case study from northern Germany investigates bird diversity on rewetted peatlands with solar parks compared to drained grassland use. The research used audio recorders and the BirdNet algorithm to assess avian communities across different land-use types. The study found that rewetted peatlands with solar parks can support greater bird diversity than drained grasslands, suggesting that combining peatland rewetting with solar energy generation may offer ecological co-benefits beyond climate mitigation. The findings highlight the potential for multi-functional land use that addresses both renewable energy production and biodiversity conservation on degraded peatlands.