environment, actual background data on environmental or ecological impacts of solar conversion systems are not available. Background information can be based on data from types of impacts similar to those anticipated from construction and operation of solar conversion units. Similar activities such as development of wind breaks, and artificial or natural shading of the desert can be used for ideas. By separating the impact activities into broad categories such as shading, wind deflection and physical disturbances, it is possible to develop theoretical ecological consequences of solar conversion system construction and operation. These theoretical consequences identify various ecosystem parameters that will be altered through solar conversion system establishment. Theories are then developed to show how much and how significantly these parameters might change. Progress. This first step in the suggested research program has been completed and is presented in Section III of this report. It is based on a thorough review of the literature including ecological, meteorological and engineering journals as well as journals from more peripheral disciplines. Theoretical responses of ecosystem parameters include changes in plant and animal functions, diversity and density as well as suspected changes in physical and chemical factors. It should be noted that this phase in development of the overall research program is theoretical and the ecological consequences presented cannot be considered to be totally valid because they are based on other activities of man or natural phenomena and are not directly a result of solar conversion system construction and operation or simulation of such activities. Ecosystem Parameters: Validate Responses Identification of ecosystem parameters that might be altered by construction and operation of solar conversion systems is not enough on which to establish a research or monitoring program. These parameters were identified based on ecological responses to other non-solar conversion type activities or natural phenomena. The significance of the parameter response relative to needed research can only be validated through testing the flexibility or variability of the parameter in response to construction and operation activities of actual or simulated solar conversion systems within
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