Social, Economic and Environmental Implications of Increasing Rural Land Use under Energy Crops
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Agro-Ecology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Bond A
(2011)
Learning How to Deal with Values, Frames and Governance in Sustainability Appraisal
in Regional Studies
Dockerty T
(2012)
Public opinion on energy crops in the landscape: considerations for the expansion of renewable energy from biomass
in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
Haughton A
(2009)
A novel, integrated approach to assessing social, economic and environmental implications of changing rural land-use: a case study of perennial biomass crops
in Journal of Applied Ecology
Haughton AJ
(2016)
Dedicated biomass crops can enhance biodiversity in the arable landscape.
in Global change biology. Bioenergy
Lovett A
(2009)
Land Use Implications of Increased Biomass Production Identified by GIS-Based Suitability and Yield Mapping for Miscanthus in England
in BioEnergy Research
| Description | This project investigated the implications of increasing the area of perennial biomass crops Miscanthus and short rotation coppice (SRC) willow in the UK. GIS was used to map variations in Miscanthus yield across England and, then to mask areas where the crop would not be grown due to constraints on land use (e.g. designated areas). Top grade land (classes 1 and 2) were excluded as most existing biomass crop planting is on agricultural land classes 3 and 4.The study showed up to 2 million hectares could be grown without impacting food production significantly or affecting other land use. A survey of 24 sites across England revealed that compared to conventional crops: Field margins of SRC willow and Miscanthus crops have more butterflies of conservation interest; Pest species of butterflies were less abundant; There were more weeds and a greater range of invertebrates in willow, compared with Miscanthus; SRC willow is likely to have a positive impact on the abundance of both farmland and woodland birds. There are however certain scarce, declining or otherwise important species that may be negatively affected;The effects on bird populations from growing Miscanthus are less clear. Measurements of water-use at commercial field sites showed: The rooting depth of SRC willow and Miscanthus is no greater than deeper rooting annual crops; The water-use of SRC willow is similar to that of a cereal crop, higher than permanent grass and lower than that of mature woodlands; Water-use of Miscanthus approaches that of woodlands; The net effect of converting land to biomass crops will depend on the previous land-use, the soil type and climate.Public surveys using computer generated landscape view before (top) and after (below) Miscanthus planting showed that most members of the public were not particularly concerned about the appearance of these new crops and thought that they would fit in well with the current agricultural landscape. People were more concerned with lorry movements and where biomass processing units and power stations would be built. Wider margins, smaller, scattered fields (rather than large blocks of planting) and local small-scale end-uses were slightly more favoured than other planting options. A wide variety of factors were found to affect farmers' decisions on whether to grow energy crops. Profitability was the most important factor. Impacts of the crops on farmers' existing systems and their attitudes to risk management, market volatility and environmental issues were also important. |
| Exploitation Route | Relu-Biomass biodiversity results are being used to revise the UK Energy Crops Scheme and advise policy on energy crop plantings by Natural England and Defra. They were also used by the NFU as evidence for including SRC as an option in the Campaign For the Farmed Environment. They have been used as evidence in EU policy on bioenergy and biofuels. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| Description | The potential for energy crops to contribute to the future energy supplies through providing a source of renewable carbon for heat and power and liquid transport fuels has been recognised by governments throughout the world. However, policy changes, rising concerns over the economic viability of energy cropping and increasing awareness of possible impacts on food security, water and other environmental issues, have checked the growth of the bioenergy and biofuel industries. Scientifically-based approaches which enable policy- and decision-makers to examine the possible impacts of different scenarios of energy crop plantings are urgently needed. For this to be satisfied, a robust evidence base and holistic approaches which enable integration across the different social, economic and environmental disciplines are also required. The UK interdisciplinary Relu-Biomass project focussed on filling in knowledge gaps though targeted research on the impacts of SRC willow and Miscanthus on visual appearance, social acceptability, biodiversity, hydrology and rural economics and has developed two approaches to provide integration and decision-making tools: GIS-based constraints mapping and Sustainability Appraisal. Continual engagement with stakeholders is an essential component of the project and in future, the expectation is that the tools will be utilised in planning expansion of energy crop plantings in the UK in ways which maximise positive impacts and minimise negative ones. Relu-Biomass biodiversity results are being used to revise the UK Energy Crops Scheme and advise policy on energy crop plantings by Natural England and Defra. They were also used by the NFU as evidence for including SRC as an option in the Campaign For the Farmed Environment. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | East Midlands Regional Assembly |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | unknown |
| Description | NFU meeting London |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Inclusion of SRC willow as an option in "Greening" of CAP |
| Description | National England meeting |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Alterations were made in the Energy Crops Scheme regulatory criteria |
| Title | Social, economic and environmental implications of increasing rural land use under energy crops, 2006-2009 |
| Description | This is a mixed method data collection. The study is part of the Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) programme. This project integrated social, economic, hydrological and biodiversity studies in an interdisciplinary approach to assess the impacts of converting land to Miscanthus grass and short-rotation coppice (SRC) willows. The approach adopted was the Sustainability Appraisal Framework, more commonly used in land-use planning. Two contrasting farming systems were focussed on: the arable-, This is a mixed method data collection. The study is part of the Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) programme. This project integrated social, economic, hydrological and biodiversity studies in an interdisciplinary approach to assess the impacts of converting land to Miscanthus grass and short-rotation coppice (SRC) willows. The approach adopted was the Sustainability Appraisal Framework, more commonly used in land-use planning. Two contrasting farming systems were focussed on: the arable-domi |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The database has been used to analyse results of impacts on biodiversity for publications |
| URL | http://www.esds.ac.uk/findingData/snDescription.asp?sn=6615 |
| Description | Debate - The Energy Gap, Royal Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Stakeholder participated in a lively debate unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Energy Now Exposition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Large stakeholders audience attended and discussed uptake of energy crops unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Presentation and debate on biofuels at the Cheltenham Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Not easy to judge but some press reports Not easy to judge |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Unilevers Sustainable Advisory Board annual meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lots of questions after Unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |