Ecosystem functions of oil palm plantations: a review
2015-06 | working paper. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
Jump to: Cite & Linked | Documents & Media | Details | Version history
Cite this publication
Dislich, Claudia, et al. Ecosystem functions of oil palm plantations: a review. SFB 990, University of Göttingen; GOEDOC, Dokumenten- und Publikationsserver der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 2015-06. EFForTS Discussion Paper Series 16.
Documents & Media
Details
- Authors
- Dislich, Claudia ; Keyel, Alexander C. ; Salecker, Jan ; Kisel, Yael; Meyer, Katrin M. ; Corre, Marife D. ; Faust, Heiko ; Hess, Bastian ; Knohl, Alexander ; Kreft, Holger ; Meijide, Ana ; Nurdiansyah, Fuad ; Otten, Fenna ; Pe’er, Guy; Steinebach, Stefanie ; Tarigan, Suria ; Tscharntke, Teja ; Tölle, Merja ; Wiegand, Kerstin
- Abstract
- Oil palm plantations have expanded rapidly in the last decades. This large-scale land-use change has had great impacts on both the areas converted to oil palm and their surroundings. However, research on the impacts of oil palm agriculture is scattered and patchy, and no clear overview exists. Here, we address this gap through a systematic and comprehensive literature review of all ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations. We compare ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations to those in forests as forests are often cleared for the establishment of oil palm. We find that oil palm plantations generally have reduced ecosystem functioning compared to forests. Some of these functions are lost globally, such as those to gas and climate regulation and to habitat and nursery functions. The most serious impacts occur when land is cleared to establish new plantations, and immediately afterwards, especially on peat soils. To variable degrees, plantation management can prevent or reduce losses of some ecosystem functions. The only ecosystem function which increased in oil palm plantations is, unsurprisingly, the production of marketable goods. Our review highlights numerous research gaps. In particular, there are significant gaps with respect to information functions (socio-cultural functions). There is a need for empirical data on the importance of spatial and temporal scales, such as the differences between plantations in different environments, of different sizes, and of different ages. Finally, more research is needed on developing management practices that can off-set the losses of ecosystem functions. Our findings should stimulate research to address the identified gaps, and provide a foundation for more systematic research and discussion on ways to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of oil palm agriculture.
- Issue Date
- June-2015
- Publisher
- SFB 990, University of Göttingen; GOEDOC, Dokumenten- und Publikationsserver der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- Project
- SFB 990: Ökologische und sozioökonomische Funktionen tropischer Tieflandregenwald-Transformationssysteme (Sumatra, Indonesien)
SFB 990 | A | A03: Untersuchung von Land-Atmosphäre Austauschprozesse in Landnutzungsänderungs-Systemen
SFB 990 | A | A05: Optimierung des Nährstoffmanagements in Ölpalmplantagen und Hochrechnung plot-basierter Treibhausgasflüsse auf die Landschaftsebene transformierter Regenwälder
SFB 990 | B | B06: Taxonomische, funktionelle, phylogenetische und biogeographische Diversität vaskulärer Pflanzen in Regenwald-Transformationssystemen auf Sumatra (Indonesien)
SFB 990 | B | B09: Oberirdische Biodiversitätsmuster und Prozesse in Regenwaldtransformations-Landschaften
SFB 990 | B | B10: Landschaftsbezogene Bewertung der ökologischen und sozioökonomischen Funktionen von Regenwald- Transformationssystemen in Sumatra (Indonesien)
SFB 990 | C | C02: Soziale Transformationsprozesse und nachhaltige Ressourcennutzung im ländlichen Jambi
SFB 990 | C | C03: Culture-Specific Human Interaction with Tropical Lowland Rainforests in Transformation in Jambi, Sumatra - Organization
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institut für Zoologie und Anthropologie
- Series
- EFForTS Discussion Paper Series
- Extent
- IV, 55
- Language
- English
- Subject(s)
- ecosystem functions; ecosystem services; biodiversity; oil palm; land-use change; Elaeis guineensis; review; sfb990_discussionpaperseries