Aren bioenergy crops just another monoculture crop like corn, soybeans, or cotton?
Yes, in so far as they usually comprise a single planted species; but the bioenergy crops being developed today are mostly perennial and do not need to be disturbed as frequently as agricultural crops (for pest control, harvesting, etc.). Bioenergy crops can be managed and harvested over multiple years to provide varied structure, land cover, and habitat for wildlife. Studies by BFDP have shown that tree crop plantings are used more extensively as habitat by breeding birds than are agricultural crops. Limited studies of switchgrass plantings show that they were used by grassland birds, although we do not know yet how very large areas of switchgrass would be used.
