Impact of oil palm, soybean and jatropha on tropical forests

Photo credit: Google

Part of an oil palm plantation at the border of intact forest. Jambi, Indonesia, December 2010. Photo by Iddy Farmer/CIFOR

Does production of oil palm, soybean, or jatropha change biodiversity and ecosystem functions in tropical forests

Authors: S. Savilaakso, Y. Laumonier, M.R. Guariguata, R. Nasi

CIFOR Working Paper no. 167 (2014)

EXCERPT

Methods/design. In this review, we will assess the current state of knowledge of the impact of three first generation biofuel crops – oil palm, soybean, and jatropha – on the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the tropical forests.

Amazon, illegally logged to clear land for soya plantations. Photo February 2006. © Greenpeace / Daniel Beltra – http://www.peopleandtheplanet.com/image.php@id=1570

 

We will look at the additional comparison of impacts from industrial versus smallholder plantations, and will compare the mitigation potential of different standards related to biofuel production. We will consider both qualitative and quantitative primary studies as well as descriptive reports that compare land conversion for target crop production with other land uses or land cover types.

Jatropha biodiesel has been promoted as a means of enhancing economic development, poverty alleviation and energy security in Sub-Sahara Africa. – http://www.biodiversity.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/j13.jpg

 

Both before/after and site comparison studies will be included, and biodiversity indicators to be assessed are species richness, abundance, and plant and animal community composition. If there is enough data, quantitative meta-analysis will be performed. Otherwise results will be summarized narratively.

Read the full article: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)