Comment on "Carbon-Negative Biofuels from Low-Input High-Diversity Grassland Biomass"

Russelle, Michael P.; Morey, R. Vance; Baker, John M.; Porter, Paul M.; Jung, Han Na

doi:10.1126/science.1139388

Cited by 29 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Degradation generally results in low yield potentials, low yield levels and low nutrient efficiency with risk of harvest loss (Cofie and Penning de Vries 2002). Estimates of high yields of mixtures of native grassland perennials from agriculturally degraded lands in Northern America are questioned on the basis of potential nutrient losses from the system, high expenditures for weed control and an overestimation of availability of such degraded lands (Russelle et al 2007).…”

Section: Marginal Yields From Marginal or Degraded Landmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioenergy from “surplus” land: environmental and socio-economic implications

Dauber¹,

Brown²,

Fernando³

et al. 2012

174

158

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The increasing demand for biomass for the production of bioenergy is generating land-use conflicts. These conflicts might be solved through spatial segregation of food/feed and energy producing areas by continuing producing food on established and productive agricultural land while growing dedicated energy crops on so called "surplus" land. Ambiguity in the definition and characterization of surplus land as well as uncertainty in assessments of land availability and of future bioenergy potentials is causing confusion about the prospects and the environmental and socio-economic implications of bioenergy development in those areas. The high level of uncertainty is due to environmental, economic and social constraints not yet taken into account and to the potentials offered by those novel crops and their production methods not being fully exploited. This paper provides a scientific background in support of a reassessment of land available for bioenergy production by clarifying the terminology, identifying constraints and options for ReseARCh ARtiCle BioRisk A peer-reviewed open-access journalJens Dauber et al. / BioRisk 7: 5-50 (2012) 6 an efficient bioenergy-use of surplus land and providing policy recommendations for resolving conflicting land-use demands. A serious approach to factoring in the constraints, combined with creativity in utilizing the options provided, in our opinion, would lead to a more sustainable and efficient development of the bioenergy sector. Unless the sustainability challenge is mastered, the interdependent policy objectives of mitigating climate change, obtaining independence from fossil fuels, feeding and fuelling a growing human world population and maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services will not be met. Despite the advanced developments of bioenergy, we still see regional solutions for designing and establishing sustainable bioenergy production systems with optimized production resulting in social, economic and ecological benefits. Where bioenergy production has been identified as the most suitable option to overcome the given problems of energy security and climate change mitigation, we need to determine which bioenergy cultivation systems are most suitable for the respective types of surplus land, by taking into account issues such as yields, inputs and costs, as well as potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

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Section: Marginal Yields From Marginal or Degraded Landmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioenergy from “surplus” land: environmental and socio-economic implications

Dauber¹,

Brown²,

Fernando³

et al. 2012

174

158

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“…While switchgrass helped maintain yields, the inclusion of big bluestem improved soil cover. Russelle et al (2007) refuted some of the claims made by Tilman et al (2006), noting that (1) minerals may have been replaced in the system since most biomass was burned after removing small areas within the plots, (2) the establishment difficulties associated with many native prairie species were ignored, (3) the experiment was conducted at only one location and yet results were extrapolated to the entire planet, and (4) the use of corn stover, as well as the grain, would improve the net energy of corn. On the other hand, annual fire events on the Konza Prairie in eastern Kansas, USA increased aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of native grasses 8 of 12 yr while ANPP for forbs increased only 4 of 12 yr (Knapp et al 1998).…”

Section: The Tallgrass Prairie Of North America: a Model Biomass Prodmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multiple species approach to biomass production from native herbaceous perennial feedstocks

Gonzalez-Hernandez

Sarath

Stein

et al. 2009

In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant

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, J. M.; Owens, V.; Gedye, K.; and Boe, A., "A multiple species approach to biomass production from native herbaceous perennial feedstocks" (2009 Abstract Due to the rapid rate of worldwide consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels, production of biofuels from cellulosic sources is receiving increased research emphasis. Here, we review the feasibility to produce lignocellulosic biomass on marginal lands that are not well-suited for conventional crop production. Large areas of these marginal lands are located in the central prairies of North America once dominated by tallgrass species. In this article, we review the existing literature, current work, and potential of two native species of the tallgrass prairie, prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) as candidates for commercial production of biofuel. Based on the existing literature, we discuss the need to accelerate research in the areas of agronomy, breeding, genetics, and potential pathogens. Cropping systems based on maintaining biodiversity across landscapes are essential for a sustainable production and to mitigate impact of pathogens and pests.

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“…Tilman et al (2006) asserted that biofuel derived from lowinput high-diversity grassland does not cause losses in biodiversity. Nevertheless, as Russelle et al (2007) pointed out, they burned the plots, except for a narrow strip that was cut for biomass measurements. Thus, it seems likely their results do not properly represent a harvested system.…”

Section: Reactive Nitrogen Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grasslands for Bioenergy Production: A Review

Ceotto

2009

Sustainable Agriculture

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-The promise of low-input high-diversity prairies to provide sustainable bioenergy production has recently been emphasized. This review article presents a critical discussion of some controversial points of using grasslands to produce bioenergy. The following issues are addressed: proteins versus biofuels; reactive nitrogen emissions; biodiversity; and effective land use. Two major disadvantages in deriving bioenergy from grasslands are identified: (i) marginal lands are displaced from their fundamental role of producing meat and milk foods, in contrast with the rising worldwide demand for high-quality food; and (ii) the combustion of N-rich grassland biomass, or by-products, results in emission of reactive N into the atmosphere and dramatically reduces the residence time of biologically-fixed nitrogen in the ecosystems. Nitrogen oxides, released during atmospheric combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, have a detrimental effect on global warming. Since intensively managed crops on fertile soils need to be cultivated to fulfil the dietary needs of populations, the potential role of inedible cereal crop residues in providing bioenergy merits consideration. This might spare more marginal land area for forage production or even for full natural use, in order to sustain high levels of biodiversity. Owing to the complexity of terrestrial systems, and the complexity of interactions, a modeling effort is needed in order to predict and quantify outcomes of specific combination of land use at higher integration levels.grassland / bioenergy / proteins vs. biofuel / reactive nitrogen emissions / biodiversity / effective land use

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Comment on "Carbon-Negative Biofuels from Low-Input High-Diversity Grassland Biomass"

Cited by 29 publications

References 6 publications

Bioenergy from “surplus” land: environmental and socio-economic implications

Bioenergy from “surplus” land: environmental and socio-economic implications

A multiple species approach to biomass production from native herbaceous perennial feedstocks

Grasslands for Bioenergy Production: A Review

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