Assessing the invasive potential of biofuel species proposed for Florida and the United States using the Australian Weed Risk Assessment

Twelve taxa under exploration as bioenergy crops in Florida and the U.S. were evaluated for potential invasiveness using the Australian Weed Risk Assessment system (WRA) modified for separate assessment at the state and national scales. When tested across a range of geographies, this system correctl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomass & bioenergy 2011, Vol.35 (1), p.74-79
Main Authors: Gordon, D.R., Tancig, K.J., Onderdonk, D.A., Gantz, C.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Arundo donax
Australian Weed Risk Assessment
Bioenergy crop
Biofuel
Biofuels
Biomass
Energy
energy crops
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Eucalyptus grandis
Exact sciences and technology
Invasive plant
invasive species
Jatropha curcas
Leucaena leucocephala
Natural energy
Pennisetum purpureum
plant taxonomy
Prevention
Ricinus communis
risk assessment
Screening
weed control
weeds
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Summary:Twelve taxa under exploration as bioenergy crops in Florida and the U.S. were evaluated for potential invasiveness using the Australian Weed Risk Assessment system (WRA) modified for separate assessment at the state and national scales. When tested across a range of geographies, this system correctly identifies invaders 90%, and non-invaders 70% of the time, on average. Predictions for Florida were the same as for the U.S. Arundo donax, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus grandis, Jatropha curcas, Leucaena leucocephala, Pennisetum purpureum, and Ricinus communis were found to have a high probability of becoming invasive, while Miscanthus ×  giganteus, Saccharum arundinaceum, Saccharum officinarum, and the sweet variety of Sorghum bicolor have a low probability of becoming invasive. Eucalyptus amplifolia requires further evaluation before a prediction is possible. These results are consistent with reports on other tests of these taxa. Given the economic and ecological impacts of invasive species, including the carbon expended for mechanical and chemical control efforts, cultivation of taxa likely to become invasive should be avoided.
ISSN:0961-9534
1873-2909
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.08.029