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Evaluating ecosystem processes in willow short rotation coppice bioenergy plantations

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 18:56 authored by Rebecca L Rowe, Dave GoulsonDave Goulson, C Patrick Doncaster, Donna J Clarke, Gail Taylor, Mick E Hanley
Despite a growing body of research linking bioenergy cultivation to changing patterns of biodiversity, there has been remarkably little interest in how bioenergy plantations affect key ecosystem processes underpinning important ecosystem services. In this study, we compare how the processes of predation by ground arthropods and litter decomposition varied between Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow bioenergy plantations and alternative land-uses: arable and set-aside (agricultural land taken out of production). We deployed litter bags to measure variation in decomposition, and a prey removal assay coupled with pitfall traps and direct searches to investigate variation in predation pressure. Decomposition rate was higher in willow SRC and set-aside than in cereal crops. Willow SRC had the highest abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropod predators, but land-use had no detectable influence on predation of fly pupae or the combined activity-density of the two principal Coleoptera families (carabids and staphylinids). Overall, our study demonstrates that the conversion of arable land to SRC may have implications for the rate of some, but not all, ecosystem processes, and highlights the need for further research in this area. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

GCB Bioenergy

ISSN

1757-1693

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Issue

3

Volume

5

Page range

257-266

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-11-21

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