Biofuel Crops Could Become Invasive

Countries should avoid planting biofuel crops that stand a high risk of becoming invasive species, according to a report released by the Kenya-based Global Invasive Species Program (GISP). GISP has identified the crops currently being used or considered for biofuel production and ranked them according to the risk they pose of becoming invasive species. Plant species being cultivated that are already known to be invasive include service berry, neem, bread fruit, false flax, coconut, giant reed, African oil palm, poplars, switchgrass, mesquite and Johnson grass. 

Introduction of alien species that could become invasive may result in diminished livelihoods and reduced development. According to GISP, considering the reliance on biodiversity of millions of people, monitoring and contingency planning should be mandatory for the support of projects to grow biofuels en masse.

Read the report at http://www.gisp.org/publications/briefing/GISP%20Biofuel%20Crops%20&%20the%20Use%20of%20Non-native%20Species%20051608%20A4.pdf