Biofuels Pose Potential Harm to Biodiversity

The invasive potential of biofuels has become a problem that is being addressed worldwide. A report written for the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (known as the Council of Europe-Bern Convention) by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)- an agency led by the Italian Ministry for the Environment.

The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention worried that an increase of biofuel cropping systems would lead to cultivation escapes of invasive taxa which would have a negative impact on native biological diversity. The committee vowed to reduce the impacts of potentially invasive alien plants currently being used as biofuel crops on species biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

The report warns that some biofuel crops may invade areas outside cultivated fields and may impact the native biodiversity. The Council of Europe is looking into ways to reduce potential invasiveness of alien plants being used as biofuel crops. Experts highlight the importance of bringing in pre-cultivation screening for each proposed genotype and region. Furthermore, new cultivation criteria are needed to limit the dispersal and recruitment capacity of the invasive crops. If these measures are not taken, escaped biofuel crops may cause loss of native biodiversity and farmland functionality.

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