Biofuels and biodiversity: Challenges and opportunities

Author(s)

Verdade, Luciano M. ^[1] ; Pina, Carlos I. ^[2] ; Rosalino, Luis Miguel ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Ecol Isotop, CENA, BR-13416000 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] UAdER, CICyTTP CONICET, Fac CyT, RA-3105 Diamante, Entre Rios - Argentina

^[3] Univ Lisbon, CE3c, Fac Ciencias, P-1749016 Lisbon - Portugal

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT; v. 15, p. 64-78, JUL 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 13

Abstract

The use of biofuels can result on a decrease of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to fossil fuels. However, the expansion of biofuels crops has been either based on direct or indirect displacement of natural ecosystems or on the use of degraded or marginal lands. The former results in direct habitat loss, whereas the later results in usual agricultural impacts (e.g., soil and biotic contamination and water eutrophication). However, in some circumstances bioluels crops can result on an increase in biodiversity compared to other agricultural crops. Agricultural zoning can mitigate the impacts of land use change ({[}PC), either direct (dLUC) or indirect (iLUC), whereas the use of wildlifefriendly techniques can mitigate the impacts of agriculture intensification. However, in both cases long-term biodiversity monitoring programs should be established in order to help the decision making process concerning the conflict between the expansion of biofuels crops and the conservation of biodiversity. (C) 2015 Elsevier By. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/60954-4 - Socio-environmental changes in the state of São Paulo and perspectives for conservation
• Grantee: Luciano Martins Verdade
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants