Environmental enhancement using short-rotation woody crops and perennial grasses as alternative agricultural crops
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education, TN (United States)
Short-rotation woody crops and perennial grasses are grown as biomass feedstocks for energy and fiber. When replacing traditional row crops on similar lands, these alternative crops can provide multiple environmental benefits in addition to enhancing rural economies and providing valuable resources. The DOE is supporting research to address how these crops can provide environmental benefits to soil, water, and native wildlife species in addition to providing bioenergy feedstocks. Research is underway to address the potential for biomass crops to provide soils conservation and water quality improvements in crop settings. Replacement of traditional erosive row drops with biomass crops on marginal lands and establishment of biomass plantations as filter strips adjacent to streams and wetlands are being studied. The habitat value of different crops for wildlife species is also considered. Combining findings on wildlife use of individual plantations with information on the cumulative effects of multiple plantations on wildlife populations can provide guidance for establishing and managing biomass crops to enhance biodiversity while providing feedstocks. Data from site-specific environmental studies can provide input for evaluation of the effects of large-scale plantings at both landscape and regional levels of resolution.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 382996
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9602118-1; ON: DE96014687
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: National conference on policy and marketing: positioning ethanol, ETBE and E-85 for the 21st century, Des Moines, IA (United States), 1-2 Feb 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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