Biofuels: Implications for land use and biodiversity

Abstract

Biofuels, generally defined as liquid fuels derived from biological mate- rials, can be made from plants, vegetable oils, forest products, or waste materials. The raw materials can be grown specifically for fuel pur- poses, or can be the residues or wastes of existing supply and con- sumption chains, such as agricultural residues or municipal garbage. In this series of reports, sponsored by the Energy Foundation, we explore the production and use of biofuels from an ecological perspective. Each report addresses one aspect of biofuel production. The report topics are biodiversity and land use; forestry; grasslands, rangelands, and agricultural systems; and biogeochemistry. A capstone issue will present a synthesis of the ecological dimensions of biofuel production. These reports, which were reviewed by an Advisory Committee, are based upon scientific manuscripts initially presented at a conference in Washington, DC, on March 10, 2008 (see www.esa.org/biofuels). The conference was hosted by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and sponsored by a consortium of other scientific organizations, non- governmental organizations, federal agencies, and the private sector. ESA also issued an official statement on the topic in January 2008, which can be found at: