Recognizing economic value in multifunctional buffers in the lower Mississippi river basin

Abstract

Integrating conservation practices with bioenergy has been recommended as a promising strategy to improve bioeconomy and water quality but the literature on the economics of this strategy is limited. This study evaluated the value proposition of reducing nutrient loss from cropland by implementing switchgrass riparian buffers in the Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB). Nutrient loss was simulated by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The value proposition of nutrient abatement was quantified by estimating (1) value of trapped nutrients as fertilizer and (2) potential net returns of harvesting switchgrass as bioenergy feedstock at different farm‐gate prices. Results suggest that switchgrass buffers may reduce mean annual total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads from cropland in the LMRB by 23% and 31%, respectively. The value of trapped nutrients is considerable (mean = $69 ha−1 year−1) but far less than the cost of implementing a switchgrass buffer (mean = $163 ha−1 year−1). At biomass prices of $20, $40, $60, and $80 per dry‐ton, mean net returns of switchgrass buffers (without considering land‐use change from cropland to buffers) were estimated to be around −$66, $199, $463, and $727 ha−1 year−1, respectively. Total net returns for the LMRB may be reduced by 20% if switchgrass is grown without the addition of commercial fertilizer. The results highlight the potential of switchgrass buffers for improving water sustainability of both agricultural and bioenergy production. The value proposition of switchgrass buffers is nevertheless sensitive to future feedstock price. The impact of fertilizer prices change and forgone income on benefit analysis is also presented. © 2018 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Valuation of ecosystem services in alternative bioenergy landscape scenarios

“…Our results demonstrate that the farmers’ benefit from aboveground products alone from an ABL does not exceed that of row crops when the price of switchgrass ranges from $20 to $80 per dry short ton. However, similar to Xu, Wu, and Ha () and Werling et al (), our study also finds that the relative value of bioenergy crops could be increased by incorporating ecosystem services into the equation.…”

Innovative Processes and Technologies for Nutrient Recovery from Wastes: A Comprehensive Review

“…Landscape-management approaches, such as integration of cellulosic biomass production with agricultural conservation practices (riparian buffers, constructed wetlands, and bioreactors), have shown good potential to reduce nutrients lost through surface runoff [8]. Similarly, Xu et al (2019) [9] found that growing switchgrass as riparian buffers along cropland can effectively intercept and recycle nutrient runoff from cropland. They also simulated nutrient load reductions through the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model.…”

“…Decreased quantity may result in reduced crop production failing to feed the projected population of the world, while the incremental nutrient application will pollute the surroundings. Sustainable agricultural production thus necessitates supplementation of those nutrients either through natural processes (nitrogen fixation) or application through animal by-products or mineral fertilizers to crop fields [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Undesirable wastes are useful tools if managed properly instead of allowing them to contaminate soil, air, and water resources, which create a hazardous environment.…”

A Phased Assessment of Restoration Alternatives to Achieve Phosphorus Water Quality Targets for Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA

“…The high cost for restoring LO should not halt or delay restoration progress. To the contrary, state agencies should incentivize innovative practices to decrease/offset the cost of local and regional efforts to remove TP from surface waters, e.g., bioenergy production and novel landscape management [78][79][80], without delaying the immediate implementation of TP removal strategies delineated above. Finding knowledge gaps and incentivizing research and development in this area is critical to surpass the current level of treatment and lower capital and operational costs.…”