 |
by Dave Dvorak
Invasive plant species may result from the rush to grow plants
for biofuels around the world. As plants are introduced on foreign
continents to produce biofuels the threat of them escaping cultivation
in unique ecosystems grows. Some plants being considered could
overwhelm native plants threatening the health of natural ecosystems.
For example the increasing use of giant reed (Arundo donax)
threatens areas of low rainfall because it soaks up almost 500
gallons
of water per square meter during the growing season. This would
cause arid regions of the world to suffer ecological consequences
that would stress other plants and the wildlife dependent on
them. Giant reed is very flammable when it dries out which would
increase the chance for uncontrolled fires especially in dry
regions of the world. The African oil palm grown in Brazil on
plantations has replaced diverse native forest with a monoculture
of palms causing a loss of native food plants and wildlife.
|
|
