Most research studies have been showing that the sustainability of energy crops would be strongly linked to perennial species. Their introduction to produce biomass with energy purposes takes us to revise not only energy ratios, greenhouse emission savings but also water and nutrient cycling and biodiversity.
The truth is that several cropping systems are degrading lands and there is a lack of perennial species that might help to avoid desertification. Here a good article suggesting some potential benefit of perennial species.
http://bioenergycrops.com/blog/2014/02/21/perennial-energy-crops-stimulate-belowground-fauna-and-biodiversity/
I completely agree with the previous answer and would also like to point out that while we consider dedicated energy crops - we should look at already degraded and marginal lands for this purpose. Not only will it be beneficial for land reclamation and preservation, but also reduce the competition of food vs fuel in arable land.
We published an article on targeting river floodplains and how those areas could be used to produce dedicated energy crops, found here:
http://www.future-science.com/doi/abs/10.4155/bfs.12.51
The potential for floodplains to sustain biomass feedstock production systems
Sougata Bardhan & Shibu Jose
Production of biofuels from corn or other food crops is considered unsustainable in the long term since it creates artificial shortages in food supply, increases in food price, and subsequent socioeconomic and environmental concerns. Second-generation biofuels, however, have shown promise, with improvement in technologies for converting cellulosic feedstocks into liquid transportation fuels. The development of biomass feedstock production systems and advanced biofuel refineries in floodplains and marginal lands can generate up to 45 t of biomass and 14,000 l of advanced biofuel per hectare per year, achieving considerable offset in dependence on fossil fuel. Promising biomass species for floodplains include short-rotation trees such as poplar and willow, perennial grasses such as Miscanthus and switchgrass, and annuals such as high-biomass sorghum. However, river floodplains are often susceptible to flooding and drought events, partly due to the impact of climate change on hydrological cycles and human interventions such as the construction of dams and levees. In the USA, floodplain biofuel production systems could generate up to 30% of renewable biofuels by 2022 and provide additional benefits such as carbon sequestration, GHG reduction and ecosystem sustainability. However, successful implementation will depend on the social adaptability and economic viability of such systems.
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