Biofuel crops: Europe calls for urgent screening
'Invasive' biofuel crops require monitoring and mitigation measures
Biofuel crops will impact on species biodiversity and natural ecosystems unless
tightly controlled, says a panel of European experts.
In late 2009, the ‘Standing Committee of the Council of Europe Convention on
the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats’ (known as the Bern
Convention) adopted a recommendation on potentially invasive alien plants being
used as biofuel crops (Recommendation 141, 2009). They warn that some biofuel
crops are able to escape as pests, and in so doing impact on native
biodiversity. As rural communities plan to grow more biofuel crops, the
likelihood of new and harmful ‘invasions’ will increase apace.
Therefore the Council of Europe made recommendations, which are legally binding
on member states:
1. Avoid the use of biofuel crops already recognised as invasive;
2. Carry out risk assessments for new species and genotypes;
3. Monitor the spread of biofuel crops into natural habitats and their effects
on native species;
4. Mitigate the spread and impact on native biodiversity wherever biofuel crops
escape cultivation.
These measures were prompted by a report submitted by ISPRA (the Italian
Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, an agency of the Italian
Ministry for the Environment) to the Bern Convention group of experts. While
recognising the growth in energy demand, linked to rising populations and the
economic and environmental costs of fossil fuels, the report made a compelling
case to farm biofuel crops in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The case for controls
Several biofuel species share common traits with invasive, aggressive species,
selected inter alia for their rapid growth, high seed production, and
resistance to pests and diseases. The evidence is clear. Without these
measures, escaped biofuel crops cause loss of native biodiversity and farmland
functionality, with knock on effects on yield.
In addition, the current state of many farmlands facilitates the invasions of
species. Changes to water and nutrient cycle, altered fire regime, and
abandonment of arable lands provide ideal ‘vacant niches’, especially where
located beside massive quantities of aggresive biofuel crops.
Screening, mitigation and buffer zones
It is therefore important, say the experts, to introduce pre-cultivation
screening for each proposed genotype and region. Cultivation criteria to limit
the dispersal and recruitment capacity of the invasive crops need to be
introduced. Biological buffer zones between crop fields and natural vegetation
are also key to limiting invasions.. The more invasive the crop, the bigger the
buffer zone.
In the long-term, biofuel crops with invasive traits need to be limited in
number and scope, even if this affects the agronomic efficiency and financial
bottom line.. Complying with these Bern Convention recommendations will
conserve Europe’s wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, while
producing sustainable and renewable sources of energy.
http://www.newsciencejournalism.net/index.php?/news_articles/view/biofuel_crops_europe_calls_for_urgent_screening/
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