Biogeochemical Research Priorities for Sustainable Biofuel and Bioenergy Feedstock Production in the Americas

Abstract

Rapid expansion in biomass production for biofuels and bioenergy in the Americas is increasing demand on the ecosystem resources required to sustain soil and site productivity. We review the current state of knowledge and highlight gaps in research on biogeochemical processes and ecosystem sustainability related to biomass production. Biomass production systems incrementally remove greater quantities of organic matter, which in turn affects soil organic matter and associated carbon and nutrient storage (and hence long-term soil productivity) and off-site impacts. While these consequences have been extensively studied for some crops and sites, the ongoing and impending impacts of biomass removal require management strategies for ensuring that soil properties and functions are sustained for all combinations of crops, soils, sites, climates, and management systems, and that impacts of biomass management (including off-site impacts) are environmentally acceptable. In a changing global environment, knowledge of cumulative impacts will also become increasingly important. Long-term experiments are essential for key crops, soils, and management systems because short-term results do not necessarily reflect long-term impacts, although improved modeling capability may help to predict these impacts. Identification and validation of soil sustainability indicators for both site prescriptions and spatial applications would better inform commercial and policy decisions. In an increasingly inter-related but constrained global context, researchers should engage across inter-disciplinary, inter-agency, and international lines to better ensure the long-term soil productivity across a range of scales, from site to landscape.

Short Rotation Wood Crops in Latin American: A Review on Status and Potential Uses as Biofuel

“…The development of renewable energy resources has increased in the last 30 years, as they have been recognized as an alternative to fossil fuels [18]. Renewable energy is a potential solution to increasing global energy demand, climatic change, and ecological challenges [19], but must be environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable if its benefits are to be fully recognized [18].…”

“…The development of renewable energy resources has increased in the last 30 years, as they have been recognized as an alternative to fossil fuels [18]. Renewable energy is a potential solution to increasing global energy demand, climatic change, and ecological challenges [19], but must be environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable if its benefits are to be fully recognized [18]. However, despite the advantages of renewable energy, some Latin American countries are still highly dependent on fossil fuels (from 40%-80% of total energy demand) or other forms of energy production, mainly hydroelectric power (11%) [6,7].…”

“…Renewable energy in Latin America has great potential because many of the countries in this region have good weather conditions for energy crop development [18]. However, the main source of this energy, so far, is sugar cane [20], with Brazil as the main biofuel producer in the region [21], followed by Colombia [22].…”

“…Biomass as a renewable energy resource is important, however, some authors have pointed out that this energy must be used smartly [26,27]. Cooking and heating in developing countries, such as in Central America [7], utilizes one-third of the biomass produced around the world [18]. Meanwhile, developed countries utilize biomass in industrial applications, such as in the heating, power, and road transportation sectors, and for heating purposes in the private sector [1].…”

Special Issue on Pan American Biofuel and Bioenergy Sustainability

“…Biogeochemical Science Gollany et al (2015) review the current state of knowledge and highlight gaps in research on biogeochemical processes related to biomass production. The article discusses biomass production from both agricultural and forest sites, including short rotation woody crops.…”