Ecological Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program |
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| Authors: | Christopher P Dunn Forest Stearns Glenn R Guntenspergen David M Sharpe |
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| Institution: | Argonne National Laboratory Building 900 (EID) 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439, U.S.A.Forestry Sciences Laboratory North Central Forest Experiment Station Rhinelander, WI 54501, U.S.A.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Research Center 700 Cajun Dome Boulevard Lafayette, LA 70506, U.S.A.Geography Department Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | The Conservation Reserve Program was initiated in 1985 to reduce soil loss on highly erodible agricultural land. This stated objective of the program has been quite successful. However, there are other unintentional yet significant ecological benefits to the program that merit evaluation. These benefits include the reversal of landscape fragmentation, maintenance of regional biodiversity, creation of wildlife habitat, and favorable changes in regional carbon flux. These and other benefits should be used by policy makers and federal officials to maintain the program even after enrollment expectations have been achieved. |
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