Biofuel Plantations on Forested Lands : Double Jeopardy for Biodiversity and Climate

摘要: The growing demand for biofuels is promoting the expansion of a number agricultural commodities, including oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Oil-palm plantations cover over 13 million ha, primarily in Southeast Asia, where they have directly or indirectly replaced tropical rainforest. We explored impact spread oil-palm on greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity. assessed changes carbon stocks with changing land use compared this amount fossil-fuel avoided through its replacement by biofuel carbon. estimated it would take between 75 93 years emissions saved to compensate lost forest conversion, depending how was cleared. If original habitat peatland, balance more than 600 years. Conversely, planting palms degraded grassland lead net removal within 10 These estimates associated uncertainty, but their magnitude relative proportions seem credible. carried out meta-analysis published faunal studies that palm. found supported species-poor communities containing few species. Because no data flora were available, we present results from our sampling plants plots Indonesia. Although species richness pteridophytes higher plantations, held Trees, lianas, epiphytic orchids, indigenous wholly absent plantations. majority individual animals belonged small generalist low conservation concern. As countries strive meet obligations reduce under one international agreement (Kyoto Protocol), may not only fail another (Convention Biological Diversity) actually hasten global climate change. Reducing deforestation likely represent effective climate-change mitigation strategy converting production, help nations commitments biodiversity loss.