A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production

The production of bioenergy from second generation (2G) feedstocks is being encouraged by legislation targeted at addressing a number of controversial issues including carbon emissions driven by land-use change and competition for crops used in food production. Here, we synthesise the implications of 2G feedstock production for a range of key ecosystem services beyond climate regulation. We consider feedstocks typical of temperate systems (Miscanthus; short-rotation coppice, short rotation forestry) and transitions from areas of forest, marginal land and first generation (1G) feedstock production. For transitions from 1G feedstocks, studies suggest significant benefits may arise for a number of ecosystem services, including hazard regulation, disease and pest control, water and soil quality. Although less evidence is available, the conversion of marginal land to 2G production will likely deliver benefits for some services while remaining broadly neutral for others. Conversion of forest to 2G production will likely reduce the provision of a range of services due to increased disturbance associated with shortening of the management cycle. Most importantly, further research is needed to broaden, and deepen, our understanding of the implications of transitions to 2G feedstocks on ecosystem services, providing empirical evidence for policy development, particularly for commercial deployment where landscape scale effects may emerge. A programme of research that mixes both the natural and social sciences based on an ecosystem service framework, and occurs concurrently with large scale commercial deployment of 2G feedstocks, would address this gap, providing evidence on the effectiveness of policies to promote production of 2G feedstocks on a wide range of ecosystem services.