New Study Emphasizes Ecological Benefits from Biofuel Crops

Researchers at Michigan State University have shown that looking at the environmental benefits of biofuel crops and not focusing solely on biomass yield allows perennial grasses to be chosen as more viable options in a bioenergy crop production program.

In the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers compared three potential bioenergy crops: corn, switchgrass, and mixes of native prairie grasses and flowering plants. The scientists measured the diversity of plants, pest and beneficial insects, birds and microbes that consume methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. They found that although corn biomass yield was higher, all other ecosystem services including methane consumption, pest suppression, pollination and bird diversity were higher in perennial grasslands.

The findings imply that careful design of bioenergy landscapes has the potential to enhance multiple services that may lead to important synergies. This study is especially timely as rising corn and other commodity prices are driving conversion of marginal lands to annual crop production, reducing future flexibility.