The Wildfuels Alternative

A discussion of the ecological effects of biofuels

Misleading reports on Amazonian Deforestation for biofuels

06/01/09

Misleading reports on Amazonian Deforestation for biofuels

Permalink 04:59:16 pm, Categories: HILD concerns, News items  

Biofuels digest has summarized several reports that imply biofuels have not caused extreme Amazonian deforestation:


Amazon deforestation dropping, despite land use change predicted by ILUC?

Again, they are missing the point. Current biofuels production is tiny in relation to petroleum production, and represents a very small sliver of global agricultural output. We would not yet expect massive deforestation.
The relevant issue here is what WILL happen if we follow the renewable fuel standards, or any other mandates for biofuels use. If we do, we would largely replace petroleum with biomass derived fuels, and the global agricultural sector would no longer be primarily involved with fiber, food, and fodder. It would be hard to believe that a manyfold increase in agrofuel production would have no indirect land use effects.

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The Wildfuels Alternative

This blog is devoted to the promotion, development, and understanding of Wildfuels and Low-Input, High-Diversity systems for biofuels. Frequently used acronyms: HILD - High-Input, Low-Diversity systems. These include corn (maize) as well as improved switchgrass, hybrid poplar, miscanthus, rapeseed, and many others. HILD systems require high energy and agrichemical inputs. LIHD - Low-Input, High-Diversity systems. This term was coined by the ecologist David Tilman and coauthors. These include natural and seminatural grasslands, restored prairie, spontaneous succession, and other grasslands. LIHD systems require few, if any, agrichemical inputs. This list is moderated by Michael W. Palmer, Vegetation Scientist, Department of Botany, Oklahoma State University. email: mike.palmer@okstate.edu

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