Wetland energy crops. [Marshes and swamps]
The use of wetlands to produce biomass crops has been the focus of several research programs at the University of Minnesota. There are over 14 million acres of peatlands in the northern lakes states, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Currently only 2.7% of Minnesota peatlands are utilized for crop production. Typha spp. (cattails), Phragmites communis (reed grass), Carex spp. (sedges), Phalaris arundinacea (reed-canary grass), Alnus spp. (alder) and Salix spp. (willow) are some species being considered as possible wetland energy crops. Typha looks particularly promising; it grows naturally in monocultures, is easily propagated from seed or rhizomes, and is very productive. The total biomass of natural Typha stands often exceeds 40 dry tons/hectare; annual yields from stands established from rhizome pieces range from 25-30 tons/hectare while stands established with seed yield 8-12 t/ha the first season and 15-20 t/ha by the second season. Studies of harvesting methods, land use considerations, possible environmental constraints, and the overall economics of wetland energy crop production are currently under way.
- OSTI ID:
- 5286962
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-800482-3
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Bio-energy world congress and exposition, Atlanta, GA, USA, 21 Apr 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Productivity of wet soils: Biomass of cultivated and natural vegetation
Wetland biomass crops: Studies in natural and managed stands
Related Subjects
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
LAND USE
MARSHES
SWAMPS
BIOMASS
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GRASS
HARVESTING
MAPS
MICHIGAN
MINNESOTA
PRODUCTIVITY
TREES
WISCONSIN
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
GREAT LAKES REGION
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)