Assesment of Solar Development on Wetland Ecosystem Services

Abstract

Budai salt pans are located in the coastal area of Chiayi County in Southwestrern Taiwan They were originally used for the salt industry Due to their geographical and ecological conditions the salt pans have become an important habitat for wildlife In addition Budai salt pans also provide diverse ecosystem services such as flood regulation water supply and water purification However Since the green energy policy in Taiwan salt pans in Taiwan have become the target of solar development proposals Solar development has reduced habitats and may also affect ecosystem services In this study the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) method is used to assess the impact of solar development on 13 ecosystem services in Budai’s Old 5th 8th and 9th salt pans Among them provision of water water purification nutrient cycling soil formation and provision of habitat are simulated through the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) This study explores the applicability of the model on wetlands and the impact solar development has on ecosystem services In the model Habitat Quality module can reflect the relationship between the threat and the density of birds Seasonal Water Yield module can reflect the trend of water depth Sediment Delivery Ratio module is mainly affected by slope conditions Nutrient Delivery Ratio module can reflect the trend of nutrients Both indicators and simulation results show that the 8th salt pan has experienced the greatest impact from solar development Solar development has reduced provision of water water purification nutrient cycling and provision of habitat This study explores both the impact of solar development on ecosystem services and the applicability of the model on wetlands The results of this study provide references for future development and simulation modeling

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Hsiao-Wen Wang (Supervisor)