The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production

A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production
A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production
Abstract The production of bioenergy from second generation (2G) feedstocks is being encouraged by legislation targeted at addressing a number of controversial issues including carbon emissions driven by land-use change and competition for crops used in food production. Here, we synthesise the implications of 2G feedstock production for a range of key ecosystem services beyond climate regulation. We consider feedstocks typical of temperate systems (Miscanthus; short-rotation coppice, short rotation forestry) and transitions from areas of forest, marginal land and first generation (1G) feedstock production. For transitions from 1G feedstocks, studies suggest significant benefits may arise for a number of ecosystem services, including hazard regulation, disease and pest control, water and soil quality. Although less evidence is available, the conversion of marginal land to 2G production will likely deliver benefits for some services while remaining broadly neutral for others. Conversion of forest to 2G production will likely reduce the provision of a range of services due to increased disturbance associated with shortening of the management cycle. Most importantly, further research is needed to broaden, and deepen, our understanding of the implications of transitions to 2G feedstocks on ecosystem services, providing empirical evidence for policy development, particularly for commercial deployment where landscape scale effects may emerge. A programme of research that mixes both the natural and social sciences based on an ecosystem service framework, and occurs concurrently with large scale commercial deployment of 2G feedstocks, would address this gap, providing evidence on the effectiveness of policies to promote production of 2G feedstocks on a wide range of ecosystem services
Land use
1364-0321
30 - 40
Holland, R.A.
9c245e65-06bb-4b0e-8214-2b00ad2a47df
Eigenbrod, F.
43efc6ae-b129-45a2-8a34-e489b5f05827
Muggeridge, A.
7b88a837-bfe8-419e-b7c0-d3c0c8f86599
Brown, G.
c3b1457e-ccc4-4705-846f-8fbb63aa21a2
Clarke, D.
f5db577c-32e8-400f-8b1c-c7adf8b00e91
Taylor, G.
Holland, R.A.
9c245e65-06bb-4b0e-8214-2b00ad2a47df
Eigenbrod, F.
43efc6ae-b129-45a2-8a34-e489b5f05827
Muggeridge, A.
7b88a837-bfe8-419e-b7c0-d3c0c8f86599
Brown, G.
c3b1457e-ccc4-4705-846f-8fbb63aa21a2
Clarke, D.
f5db577c-32e8-400f-8b1c-c7adf8b00e91
Taylor, G.

Holland, R.A., Eigenbrod, F., Muggeridge, A., Brown, G., Clarke, D. and Taylor, G. (2015) A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 46, 30 - 40. (doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.02.003).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Abstract The production of bioenergy from second generation (2G) feedstocks is being encouraged by legislation targeted at addressing a number of controversial issues including carbon emissions driven by land-use change and competition for crops used in food production. Here, we synthesise the implications of 2G feedstock production for a range of key ecosystem services beyond climate regulation. We consider feedstocks typical of temperate systems (Miscanthus; short-rotation coppice, short rotation forestry) and transitions from areas of forest, marginal land and first generation (1G) feedstock production. For transitions from 1G feedstocks, studies suggest significant benefits may arise for a number of ecosystem services, including hazard regulation, disease and pest control, water and soil quality. Although less evidence is available, the conversion of marginal land to 2G production will likely deliver benefits for some services while remaining broadly neutral for others. Conversion of forest to 2G production will likely reduce the provision of a range of services due to increased disturbance associated with shortening of the management cycle. Most importantly, further research is needed to broaden, and deepen, our understanding of the implications of transitions to 2G feedstocks on ecosystem services, providing empirical evidence for policy development, particularly for commercial deployment where landscape scale effects may emerge. A programme of research that mixes both the natural and social sciences based on an ecosystem service framework, and occurs concurrently with large scale commercial deployment of 2G feedstocks, would address this gap, providing evidence on the effectiveness of policies to promote production of 2G feedstocks on a wide range of ecosystem services

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 1 February 2015
Published date: 3 March 2015
Keywords: Land use
Organisations: WorldPop, Centre for Biological Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 375690
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/375690
ISSN: 1364-0321
PURE UUID: 4b3b3880-089f-4f45-9145-c58a3b077404
ORCID for R.A. Holland: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3038-9227
ORCID for F. Eigenbrod: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-8982-824X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Apr 2015 14:41
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:43

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: R.A. Holland ORCID iD
Author: F. Eigenbrod ORCID iD
Author: A. Muggeridge
Author: G. Brown
Author: D. Clarke
Author: G. Taylor

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×