Quantifying the effects of land-use change and bioenergy crop production on ecosystem services in the Northern Great Plains Active
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
- Overview
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.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Impacts on wildlife of annual crops for biofuel production
No abstract available.AuthorsClint R.V. OttoFeeling the sting? Addressing land-use changes can mitigate bee declines
Pollinators are an essential component of functioning and sustainable agroecosystems. Despite their critical economic and ecological role, wild and managed bees are declining throughout the United States and across the globe. Commercial beekeepers lost nearly 40.5% of their colonies in 2015–2016 and estimated wild bee abundance declined 23% between 2008 and 2013. These losses are due to a number oAuthorsJennie Durant, Clint R.V. OttoThe influence of spatiotemporally decoupled land use on honey bee colony health and pollination service delivery
Societal dependence on insects for pollination of agricultural crops has risen amidst concerns over pollinator declines. Habitat loss and lack of forage have been implicated in the decline of both managed and native pollinators. Land use changes in the Northern Great Plains of the US, a region supporting over 1 million honey bee colonies annually, have shifted away from historical grassland ecosAuthorsMatthew Smart, Clint R.V. Otto, Benjamin Carlson, Cali L. RothPast role and future outlook of the Conservation Reserve Program for supporting honey bees in the Great Plains
Human dependence on insect pollinators continues to grow even as pollinators face global declines. The Northern Great Plains (NGP), a region often referred to as America’s last honey bee (Apis mellifera) refuge, has undergone rapid land-cover change due to cropland expansion and weakened land conservation programs. We conducted a trend analysis and estimated conversion rates of Conservation ReservAuthorsClint R.V. Otto, Haochi Zheng, Alisa L. Gallant, Rich Iovanna, Benjamin L. Carlson, Matthew Smart, Skip HybergLand-use change reduces habitat suitability for supporting managed honey bee colonies in the Northern Great Plains
Human reliance on insect pollination services continues to increase even as pollinator populations exhibit global declines. Increased commodity crop prices and federal subsidies for biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, have contributed to rapid land-use change in the US Northern Great Plains (NGP), changes that may jeopardize habitat for honey bees in a part of the country that supports >40%AuthorsClint R.V. Otto, Cali L. Roth, Benjamin Carlson, Matthew Smart