Can upstream biofuel production increase the flow of downstream ecosystem goods and services?

Jager, Henriette I.; Efroymson, Rebecca Ann

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.08.027

Title: Can upstream biofuel production increase the flow of downstream ecosystem goods and services?

Journal Article · Sat Sep 09 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Biomass and Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.08.027· OSTI ID:1458385

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Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Here, advanced biomass feedstocks tend to provide more non-fuel ecosystem goods and services (ES) than 1st-generation alternatives. We explore the idea that payment for non-fuel ES could facilitate market penetration of advanced biofuels by closing the profitability gap. As a specific example, we discuss the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB), where 1st-generation bioenergy feedstocks (e.g., corn-grain) have been integrated into the agricultural landscape. Downstream, the MARB drains to the Gulf of Mexico, where the most-valuable fishery in the US is impacted by annual formation of a large hypoxic “Dead zone.” We suggest that advanced biomass production systems in the MARB can increase and stabilize the provision of ES derived from the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Gulf-of-Mexico. Upstream, we suggest that choosing feedstocks based on their resistance or resilience to disturbance (e.g., perennials, diverse feedstocks) can increase reliability in ES provision over time. Direct feedbacks to incentivize producers of advanced feedstocks are currently lacking. Perhaps a shift from first-generation biofuels to perennial-based fuels and other advanced bioenergy systems (e.g., algal diesel, biogas from animal wastes) can be encouraged by bringing downstream environmental externalities into the market for upstream producers. In future, we can create such feedbacks through payments for ES, but significant research is needed to pave the way.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1458385

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1530643

Journal Information:: Biomass and Bioenergy, Vol. 114, Issue C; ISSN 0961-9534

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 10 works

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Title: Can upstream biofuel production increase the flow of downstream ecosystem goods and services?

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