Quantifying the effects of land-use change and bioenergy crop production on ecosystem services in the Northern Great Plains
Rising commodity crop prices, increased federal subsidies for biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel, and reduction in U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs have facilitated rapid land-use changes in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Although renewable biofuels are touted as a mechanism for increasing energy security and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, little is known about how rapid expansion of biofuel crops will impact ecosystem services. This research seeks to understand how land-use changes and biofuel crop development affect ecosystem services in the NGP. For example, the NPWRC biofuels research team studies how land-use change and habitat alteration affects pollinator health and the ability of bees to pollinate agricultural crops. This research improves societal understanding of the downstream effects of land-use change and the ecological and economic tradeoffs associated with bioenergy crop production. NPWRC biofuels research has been featured in over 15 national and international media outlets since 2014.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Impacts on wildlife of annual crops for biofuel production
Feeling the sting? Addressing land-use changes can mitigate bee declines
The influence of spatiotemporally decoupled land use on honey bee colony health and pollination service delivery
Past role and future outlook of the Conservation Reserve Program for supporting honey bees in the Great Plains
Land-use change reduces habitat suitability for supporting managed honey bee colonies in the Northern Great Plains
Rising commodity crop prices, increased federal subsidies for biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel, and reduction in U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs have facilitated rapid land-use changes in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Although renewable biofuels are touted as a mechanism for increasing energy security and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, little is known about how rapid expansion of biofuel crops will impact ecosystem services. This research seeks to understand how land-use changes and biofuel crop development affect ecosystem services in the NGP. For example, the NPWRC biofuels research team studies how land-use change and habitat alteration affects pollinator health and the ability of bees to pollinate agricultural crops. This research improves societal understanding of the downstream effects of land-use change and the ecological and economic tradeoffs associated with bioenergy crop production. NPWRC biofuels research has been featured in over 15 national and international media outlets since 2014.
Below are publications associated with this project.