Geospatial distribution of ecosystem services and biomass energy potential in eastern Japan

• Spatial distributions of ecosystem services and biomass energy were analyzed.
• Priority rank of ecosystem services pointed out conflicting areas produced biomass.
• Zoning of biomass exploitation may be needed for ecological impact assessment.

Detailed assessments of the effects of biomass production on ecosystems were carried out in the eastern region of Japan using geographical statistics and statistical methods. Ecosystems that might be used as a source of energy-related biomass already provide a variety of goods and services for humans widely known as ecosystem services. Various indices were mapped to describe the potential supply of biomass energy and the proxy variables for ecosystem services provided in the region. These indices were analyzed using a multivariate statistical technique to identify specific key factors for the use of biomass and ecosystem services. Finally, using zoning software, priority areas of potential supply of biomass energy and ecosystem services were indicated and the conflict between them analyzed. Biomass energy was clearly distinguished into three axes, suggesting that biomass is strongly related to the location and ecosystem, while the distribution of the types of ecosystem services in the studied areas was not separated clearly. The relative priority ranks of bioenergy and ecosystem services were complementarily distributed; however, parts of the studied area had high-ranking areas. The results suggested that a more detailed zoning information is needed for promoting energy-related biomass production considering the high supply of ecosystem services.