Spiders and other arachnids exhibit variable responses to solar energy development in the Mojave Desert
We collected arachnids in the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS), a 392 MW solar energy facility located in the Mojave Desert, and in undeveloped desert surrounding ISEGS. We tested effects of solar energy-development decisions, including (1) (blading)- intensive site preparation via bulldozing with above- and below ground biomass removed, (2) (mowing)- moderate site preparation intensity via mowing, and (3) (“halos”)- small, undeveloped patches scattered throughout ISEGS. Total arachnid abundance was highest in the undeveloped patches and lowest in undeveloped desert. Arachnid taxa richness was significantly greater in undeveloped patches compared to bladed treatments and undeveloped desert. Individual spider indicator taxa associated with each treatment, signaled a mixed response to solar energy development. Our results suggest that intensive site preparation alters arachnid community composition and reduces their richness, whereas arachnid abundance and richness across undeveloped patches in solar energy facilities can be greater than that in undeveloped desert. Additionally, spider communities in undeveloped patches and the surrounding undeveloped desert were also significantly dissimilar from each other.
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Geodata ISO 19139 metadata
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Arachnida_Data_Mojave.xlsx
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Complete Metadata
| @type | dcat:Dataset |
|---|---|
| accessLevel | public |
| accrualPeriodicity | R/PT1S |
| bureauCode |
[ "005:18" ] |
| contactPoint |
{ "fn": "Campbell, Joshua, W.", "hasEmail": "mailto:joshua.campbell@usda.gov" } |
| description | <p dir="ltr">We collected arachnids in the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS), a 392 MW solar energy facility located in the Mojave Desert, and in undeveloped desert surrounding ISEGS. We tested effects of solar energy-development decisions, including (1) (blading)- intensive site preparation via bulldozing with above- and below ground biomass removed, (2) (mowing)- moderate site preparation intensity via mowing, and (3) (“halos”)- small, undeveloped patches scattered throughout ISEGS. Total arachnid abundance was highest in the undeveloped patches and lowest in undeveloped desert. Arachnid taxa richness was significantly greater in undeveloped patches compared to bladed treatments and undeveloped desert. Individual spider indicator taxa associated with each treatment, signaled a mixed response to solar energy development. Our results suggest that intensive site preparation alters arachnid community composition and reduces their richness, whereas arachnid abundance and richness across undeveloped patches in solar energy facilities can be greater than that in undeveloped desert. Additionally, spider communities in undeveloped patches and the surrounding undeveloped desert were also significantly dissimilar from each other.</p> |
| distribution |
[ { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "Geodata ISO 19139 metadata", "format": "xml", "accessURL": "https://geodata.nal.usda.gov/geonetwork/srv/api/records/836269c1-cd07-496d-b703-3ece7aaa860a/formatters/xml", "mediaType": "text/xml", "conformsTo": "https://www.isotc211.org/2005/gmd" }, { "@type": "dcat:Distribution", "title": "Arachnida_Data_Mojave.xlsx", "format": "xlsx", "mediaType": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "downloadURL": "https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/67157267" } ] |
| identifier | 10.15482/USDA.ADC/33131600.v1 |
| keyword |
[ "Arachnids", "Solar energy", "Spiders" ] |
| license | https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ |
| modified | 2026-09-18 |
| programCode |
[ "005:040" ] |
| publisher |
{ "name": "Agricultural Research Service", "@type": "org:Organization" } |
| spatial |
"{"type": "Point", "coordinates": [-115.4710023074788, 35.55815479927462]}"
|
| temporal | 2018-04-05/2018-05-05 |
| theme |
[ "geospatial" ] |
| title | Spiders and other arachnids exhibit variable responses to solar energy development in the Mojave Desert |
