Differential impacts of wind and solar power developments on avian ecological networks in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau possesses abundant wind resources and solar resources that far exceed those in eastern regions at the same latitude, and it also serves as a key region for the migration and breeding of numerous bird species. Using the maximum entropy model, morphological spatial pattern analysis, and circuit theory, this study evaluated the impacts of wind farms and photovoltaic power plants on suitable habitats and ecological networks for all bird species and for representative species in the period of 2010 to 2024. The results show that: (1) In the wind farm areas, suitable habitats for most birds shifted from low-suitability to moderate-suitability classes. The number and total length of ecological corridors declined notably, and the area of ecological barrier points decreased. (2) In the photovoltaic power plant areas, some high-suitability bird habitats were occupied by photovoltaic power plants. However, the total area of high-suitability habitats showed an increasing trend after construction. The number of ecological corridors mainly decreased while the areas of ecological pinch points and barriers generally increased. (3) In the wind and photovoltaic power plants areas, the area of high-suitability habitats increased after construction although some high-suitability bird habitats were occupied by co-located wind and photovoltaic power plants. Both the number and length of ecological corridors generally increased while the area of ecological pinch points decreased. (4) The impact of wind and photovoltaic power plant construction on the ecological barrier points, ecological pinch points, and the number and length of corridors of Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax and Pseudopodoces humilis shows no significant difference from those on other bird species, but it has led to a reduction in the area of high-suitability habitats for these two species. This study reveals the differentiated impacts of wind and solar development on avian ecological networks across the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and provides a scientific basis for the coordinated planning of clean-energy development and biodiversity conservation in ecologically sensitive regions.