Large-scale solar parks reshape ground arthropod assembly in the Tengger desert

The photovoltaic desertification control model effectively suppresses aeolian activity while promoting vegetation recovery and soil improvement, yet its impact on the diversity and function of ground arthropods remains unclear. This study was conducted at the Jiuduntan Photovoltaic Demonstration Park, located on the southern edge of the Tengger Desert. We sampled ground arthropods using pitfall trapping in the solar park (SP), the adjacent straw checkerboard barrier (SCB) and natural sand dune (SD) areas. Vegetation and soil factors were examined to identify the primary factors associated with ground arthropod community assembly. We found that: (1) The solar parks boosted shrub density, cover, and herb richness but reduced shrub richness, herb cover, and biomass versus straw checkerboard barrier and natural sand dune areas. Soil water content and hardness declined markedly in the solar parks, with nutrients unchanged. (2) Community structure of ground arthropods differed significantly across the natural sand dune, straw checkerboard barrier, and solar park areas. A sequential decline in both total abundance and species richness was observed along the gradient from natural sand dune to solar park, with a concomitant increase in evenness index. (3) The solar park elicited divergent responses from arthropods: beetles and ants declined significantly in both abundance and richness, whereas other insects increased and spiders remained unchanged. (4) Ground arthropod assemblages across different areas were primarily shaped by shrub cover, soil water content, and soil hardness, with beetles demonstrating greater environmental sensitivity than spiders. In short, photovoltaic desertification control rapidly promotes vegetation recovery and alters the physical environment, such as soil moisture and hardness, thereby driving the assembly changes of ground arthropods.