Large solar energy farms primarily impact which ecosystems?

• A. Rainforest
• B. Desert
• C. Tundra
• D. Wetlands

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how building large-scale solar farms changes the land and the living things that depend on it, especially where those farms are placed. Large solar projects require lots of open space, so they’re often sited in desert regions with high sun and vast stretches of flat terrain. Deserts host specialized plants and animals adapted to dry, open conditions, and many have limited ranges. Clearing land, installing rows of panels, roads, and fences, and altering surface conditions disrupts habitats, blocks animal movement, and can change local temperatures and dust dynamics. Some solar technologies also use water for cooling or cleaning, which can strain scarce desert water resources. While rainforests, tundra, and wetlands face their own challenges with development, deserts are the ecosystems most commonly affected by the scale and siting of large solar energy farms.