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Title: A life-cycle approach to low-invasion potential bioenergy production

Author
item BARNEY, J - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item Davis, Adam
item PORTER, R - Environmental Law Institute
item SIMBERLOFF, D - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: Council for Agricultural Science and Technology Issue Paper
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2015
Publication Date: 1/1/2016
Citation: Barney, J.N., Davis, A.S., Porter, R.D., Simberloff, D. 2016. A life-cycle approach to low-invasion potential bioenergy production. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology Issue Paper. QTA 2016-1.

Interpretive Summary: Bioenergy, or biomass-based energy production, is being pursued globally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a reliable domestic energy source, among other reasons. Similarities in plant traits between many candidate bioenergy crops and known invasive species have raised concerns about the potential for bioenergy crops to escape production and become invaders themselves. We believe that a life-cycle approach to bioenergy production can greatly reduce the risks of biological invasions associated with this important energy source. A life cycle approach to bioenergy production should include attention to a) cultivar and site selection to minimize invasive potential; b) guidelines for invasion risk mitigation during the production phase; and c) exit strategies for safely closing and transferring ownership of production facilities. Invasion mitigation will require collaboration and strategic interactions among plant breeders, ecologists, agronomists, farmers, and energy companies. Importantly, even with appropriate planning, unforeseen mistakes and a volatile economy will require that production agreements cover liabilities and ex ante actions.

Technical Abstract: Increasing demand for energy has increased economic incentives to develop and deploy novel bioenergy crops for biomass production. Similarities in plant traits between many candidate bioenergy crops and known invasive species have raised concerns about the potential for bioenergy crops to escape production and become invaders themselves. We believe that a life-cycle approach to bioenergy production can greatly reduce the risks of biological invasions associated with this important energy source. A life cycle approach to bioenergy production should include attention to a) cultivar and site selection to minimize invasive potential; b) guidelines for invasion risk mitigation during the production phase; and c) exit strategies for safely closing and transferring ownership of production facilities. Successful implementation of life cycle approaches to bioenergy production will involve communication and collaboration among producers, agricultural scientists, ecologists, refineries, and policy and legal experts. The resulting process will facilitate the production of biomass for bioenergy with minimal invasion potential.