Vr. Tolbert et Ll. Wright, ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT OF US BIOMASS CROP TECHNOLOGIES - RESEARCH RESULTS TO DATE, Biomass & bioenergy, 15(1), 1998, pp. 93-100
The U.S. continues efforts to develop genetically superior short-rotat
ion woody crops (hybrid poplar and willow) and herbaceous crops (switc
hgrass). These biomass crops can provide multiple environmental benefi
ts as well as energy and fiber. This paper focuses on results of site-
specific studies that are quantifying the environmental potential and
ramifications of converting agricultural croplands to biomass crop pro
duction. At research-scales, no differences have been found in erosion
and movement of nutrients from annual row crops, switchgrass, and tre
e crops with and without a cover crop in the initial year of establish
ment. Research- and watershed-scale studies on different soil types, i
n different regions, and to match tree species with specific site char
acteristics and management regimes will help determine whether researc
h-scale results can be used to predict effects at larger scales and to
identify best management practices to minimize environmental effects
while maximizing yields. Studies in different regions of the U.S. are
evaluating the habitat value of biomass crops compared to agricultural
row crops, grasslands, or natural forests. Results to date from both
research- and larger-scale plantings show that SRWCs support greater b
ird diversity than row crops, but less diversity than natural forests.
Switchgrass plantings extended habitat for grasslands birds compared
to row crops. Surveys on industrial tree crop plantings in the south-e
astern U.S. are addressing the relationship between site characteristi
cs (planting acreage, species, landscape context, and age of plantings
) and breeding bird use. The environmental studies of water and soil q
uality and wildlife diversity are being used to identify management st
rategies for biomass crops to increase productivity while increasing a
gricultural sustainability. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
. All rights reserved.