Using existing landscape data to assess the ecological potential of Miscanthus cultivation in a marginal landscape

Marginal landscapes often feature high biodiversity that is threatened by either intensification or land abandonment. This is particularly the case in mountainous regions with diverse environmental conditions and a mosaic of land use. Frequently, the use of marginal or set-aside farmland for biofuel crops is proposed to meet the increasing demand for biofuels, but avoid conflicts with food production. Potential ecological effects of enhanced bioenergy production in diverse landscapes are, however, still controversial, and a proper assessment requires the consideration of local and regional specifics. We used a yield prediction model to determine the potential yield of Miscanthus on individual fields in a small municipality. Widely available spatial data, conclusions drawn from literature, and local landscape planning data were used to assess the potential ecological effects of Miscanthus cultivation. The specific landscape planning data for the study area provided detailed information on conservation values and land-use-related functional deficits. All information was used to classify each field by suitability for Miscanthus production, considering biodiversity, soil erosion, and landscape structure. A subsequent field-level and landscape-level evaluation of the potential Miscanthus yields in the suitability classes revealed that overall yield would not be reduced if ecological restrictions were considered and only ‘suitable’ or ‘recommended’ fields were selected for Miscanthus cultivation. Instead of defining one threshold value for an ‘optimal’ amount of Miscanthus in a landscape, we developed different scenarios for increasing amounts of Miscanthus. Our scenario maps and recommendations can be used in regional planning processes as the basis for discussions with stakeholders. The methods applied in our case study combine economic and ecological approaches, are based on existing data and methods, and allow effective evaluation of the sustainable landscape potential of an energy crop at a scale relevant for biodiversity conservation and landscape planning.