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The following traits make certain vascular plants good for potential development as biofuels, but it is important to note that they have overlap with traits known to contribute to invasiveness (indicated with a *). The decision to use plants as biofuels should carefully consider the pros and cons of each candidate species and anticipate any potential for the threat it poses as an invasive species.
*C4 photosynthesis. This refers to the use of a 4-carbon rather than a 3-carbon compound in photosynthesis. C4 plants are better adapted to arid conditions because they use water more efficiently.
*Long canopy duration
Perennial
*No known pests or diseases
*Rapid growth in spring (to outcompete weeds)
*Partitions nutrients to below-ground components in the fall
Although renewable energy researchers are motivated to discover and produce crops to be grown as biofuels, certain plants grown for biofuels present risks as an invasive species. In Hawaii, USA, concern for biofuels that may also become invasive species are of special concern because islands rich in biodiversity are even more susceptible to the catastrophic effects of invasive species. In a recent report, researchers in Hawaii used a weed risk assessment tool to identify certain biofuel crops suitable for a subtropical island ecosystem and determined that they were nearly three times as likely to become invasive as other species not intended to be grown as biofuels.
[Photo: John and Karen Hollingsworth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
Invasive species can have tremendous negative effects on local ecosystems, can be hard to control or eradicate, and can outcompete native plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients. When this happens, native forage decreases, biodiversity decreases, and ecosystem functions and processes are altered. Invasive species have the potential to become a factor in the development of renewable energy sources in several ways:
Many crops that are produced or proposed for cultivation for biofuel production in the United States have one or more invasive characteristics including: C4 photosynthesis, long canopy duration, no known pests or diseases, rapid growth in spring, nutrient partition to belowground components in the fall, and high water-use efficiency. Although biofuels provide an alternative to fossil fuels, there is concern over the potential environmental and economic impact of intentionally cultivating crops with such characteristics.
With geothermal, solar, and wind energy development, the disturbed ground caused by the construction of access roads and infrastructure is highly susceptible to the establishment of invasive species.
Biofuels and Invasive Plants
Stand of Giant reed. James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org
Plants used in the production of biofuels are evolving from food sources to grass and reed sources. This change has the potential of having a negative impact on the environment. Potential grass and reed biofuels were chosen because of their weed-like characteristics. They do not need to be planted every season, can grow in difficult climates and can produce as much as 40 times the amount of biofuel as for example, a corn crop of the same size.
The decision to use first or second generation biofuels can be a difficult one in which the pros and cons of each candidate species are examined. Should you take space away from food production to grow biofuels or should you plant a potentially invasive species to produce more fuel?
A flower head of Arundo donax. Photo credit: USDA.
Giant reed (
Arundo donax
) is a tall perennial cane that grows in damp soils; it is known by many names including Carrizo, Spanish cane, wild cane giant reed and Arundo. It is native to eastern Asia but can grow in California, the Mediterrean and Caribbean.Arundo can grow up to 10 meters, and consumes large amounts of water.Arundo grows in dense groups crowding out other native plants.Arundo is a potential second generation biofuel, because of its fast growth, it is essentially sterile, and can potentially produce more fuel than first generation biofuels.
With enormous environmental, economic, and health costs, invasive species are second only to habitat destruction as a cause of global biodiversity loss.
Switchgrass
(Panicum virgatum)
is a perennial plant with a widespread distribution in North America. It has recently been identified as a crop that can be efficiently produced as a biofuel, because it grows quickly, has high nutrient efficiency, and requires little water for cultivation. In some states, it is considered a native plant species, but in others, it is considered non-native and can become weedy or invasive if not properly managed.
It has also been shown that switchgrass plots support nearly as many species of birds as native prairie areas, and more insect diversity than monocultures of corn. Although switchgrass is usually planted as a monoculture, it has been suggested through research that by planting a mixed grass community of switchgrasses, the positive biodiversity outcomes can be even further increased.
The NBII Program is administered by the Biological Informatics Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
![Biofuel crops [Photo: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Image Library]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nbii/20120111162551im_/http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_26189_1956_7186_43/http%3B/cbi-lap7.cbi.cr.usgs.gov%3B7097/publishedcontent/publish/ecological_topics/renewable_energy_project/vascular_plants_as_biofuels/vascular_plants_as_biofuels_1.jpg)
![Hawaii from space [Image: NASA]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nbii/20120111162551im_/http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_26931_1956_7186_43/http%3B/cbi-lap7.cbi.cr.usgs.gov%3B7097/publishedcontent/publish/ecological_topics/renewable_energy_project/invasive_species__hawaii/renew_biofuels_and_invasive_species_in_hawaii_highlight__narrow__1.jpg)
![Invasive Species [Photo: John and Karen Hollingsworth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nbii/20120111162551im_/http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_26768_1956_7186_43/http%3B/cbi-lap7.cbi.cr.usgs.gov%3B7097/publishedcontent/publish/ecological_topics/renewable_energy_project/invasive_species/renew_invasive_species_3.jpg)
![Switchgrass plot [Photo: Natural Resources Conservation Service]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nbii/20120111162551im_/http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_26887_1956_7186_43/http%3B/cbi-lap7.cbi.cr.usgs.gov%3B7097/publishedcontent/publish/ecological_topics/renewable_energy_project/switchgrass/renew_switchgrass_as_a_biofuel_1.jpg)
