Global approaches to addressing biofuel‐related invasive species risks and incorporation into U.S. laws and policies

Abstract

Abstract. Biofuels are being pursued for their potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions benefits, among other reasons. In order to maximize productivity, avoid food-fuel conflicts, and minimize GHG emissions, many advanced biofuel feedstock crops, such as those desired by the aviation community, are under consideration based on traits, such as high biomass and/ or seed production, tolerance of marginal cultivation conditions, and short generation times, that may also be predictors of potential invasiveness risk. Biofuel-related invasion risks can be mitigated through careful feedstock crop selection and cultivation techniques developed from the invasion science literature. Existing voluntary best practices and some state and federal regulatory requirements in the United States recommend and/or require the use of such risk mitigation strategies. However, other policies and programs allow or provide incentives for biofuel production without conditions requiring the use of these strategies. We have synthesized information on the scientific knowledge of invasive species predictors and their use (or absence) in voluntary codes and U.S. regulatory frameworks and incentive programs. We highlight the existing tools and approaches for assessing invasion risk and avoiding the introduction and spread of invasive species as a result of biofuel feedstock cultivation. A wellcoordinated combination of species restrictions, biosecurity requirements, and incentives for selection of less risky biofuel crops may effectively balance the desire for increased biofuel production while minimizing invasion risk.

Black, Grey and Watch Lists of alien species in the Czech Republic based on environmental impacts and management strategy

“…These so-called Black, Grey and Watch (alert) Lists represent a convenient starting point for setting such priorities (European Commission 2014). The necessary condition for making such lists trustworthy is, however, a robust and transparent risk assessment, based on the impacts of individual species, allowing their scientifically defensible selection (Wittenberg and Cock 2001, Verbrugge et al 2012, Lewis and Porter 2014. The transparency is important so as to accommodate interests and perception of impacts by groups of concerned authorities and stakeholders representing sectors as diverse as, e.g.…”

Bioenergy and Biodiversity: Key Lessons from the Pan American Region

“…Some proposed second-generation bioenergy crops such as eucalypts, Miscanthus, and canary reed grass which have raised concerns about potential invasiveness which merit study and monitoring (Raghu et al 2006;Fargione et al 2010;Witt 2010). Lewis and Porter (2014) suggest that biomass productivity goals can be achieved while minimizing invasion risks through a combination of voluntary standards, crop selection guidelines, and incentives to promote crops appropriate for the location.…”

Assessing multimetric aspects of sustainability: Application to a bioenergy crop production system in East Tennessee

“…Switchgrass has a lifespan of at least 20 yr with high yields following the third year after establishment. It is neither rhizomatous nor invasive (Lewis and Porter ). A socioeconomic advantage of switchgrass as a bioenergy crop within this context is the fact that it can be planted and harvested with equipment already available to East Tennessee farmers.…”