Impact and Prospects of the Invasive Alien Plant Robinia pseudoacacia L. as a Bioenergy Resource

The growing demand for renewable energy, together with the need to mitigate climate change and promote more sustainable agriculture systems, has stimulated interest in energy crops. In this context, invasive alien plant species (IAPS), which have progressively colonized abandoned farmland, degraded ecosystems, and marginal areas, represent a key bioresource. IAPS have a dual nature combining high ecological invasiveness and fast growing rate with notable energetic potential. These aspects have generated a still ongoing debate among farm managers, ecologists, and policymakers regarding their role within the future bioeconomy. The present study provides a review of the IAPS black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on its real benefits as a source of bioenergy, ecological impact, and the management strategies adopted. We examine the trade-offs between containment efforts and use for renewable bioenergy production, particularly in marginal areas where few alternatives exist. This review highlights the need for stratified site-specific approaches that balance biodiversity conservation with bioresource exploitation. Finally, this study also contributes to the ongoing discussion on whether IAPS should be regarded primarily as a management challenge or a multifunctional bioresource, as in the production of bioenergy.