Performance orientation towords biodiversity impacts of energy crop production on agricultural land use and farmland habitats in Europe

Abstract

Energy plants for biomass cause significant changes to land use in agriculture and marginal land to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. Several studies analyse the impact on the biodiversity of energy crops and especially perennial grasses, but few studies of their interaction with farmland, especially mammals, exist. Energy crops cultivation can lead to conflicts with land use, including the loss of agricultural biodiversity. Understanding the ecological impact of bioenergy planting schemes is essential to mitigate the potential adverse effects of these structurally diverse crops on already declining agricultural land biodiversity and to maximize their benefit. Throughout our research, we concentrate throughout particular on the association of energy crops with food crops and the influence of energy crops on agricultural birds and examine the disparity between the consequences of these practices on birds with several ecological conditions. The first comprehensive review of the published impacts of bioenergy crop production on biodiversity is presented in this article, the drivers are evaluated and the pressures are assessed, and the current trends and impacts are summarised. The review offers insight into the types of biodiversity indicators used in a variety of conditions, and the mitigating actions proposed to reduce negative effects or achieve benefits to biodiversity.