The benefits of harvesting wetland invaders for cellulosic biofuel: An ecosystem services perspective

Jakubowski, AR; Casler, MD; Jackson, RD

HERO ID

2486488

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

Language

English

HERO ID 2486488
In Press No
Year 2010
Title The benefits of harvesting wetland invaders for cellulosic biofuel: An ecosystem services perspective
Authors Jakubowski, AR; Casler, MD; Jackson, RD
Journal Restoration Ecology
Volume 18
Issue 6
Page Numbers 789-795
Abstract The emerging interest in cellulosic biofuel production has led the call for alternative cropping systems that maximize production along with the accompanying regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services. We evaluate the potential for biomass harvested from invaded wetlands to achieve these goals. The ecosystem service trade-offs associated with a wetland invader harvest are evaluated followed by a case study estimating the energy production and nutrient removal of harvesting Phalaris arundinacea from invaded wetlands in Wisconsin, United States. Estimates for energy production from this single species harvest dwarf current renewable energy sources for the state of Wisconsin and offer the potential to recapture approximately 50-200% of the excess nitrogen and phosphorus annually applied as fertilizer. This restoration technique would not only generate income from biomass sales to subsidize the cost of restoration, but also has the potential to shift the system toward more desirable environmental conditions by removing nutrients annually, reducing downstream eutrophication, and enhancing the ability of more desirable vegetation to establish by removing the litter layer created by the invasive species.
Doi 10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00738.x
Wosid WOS:000283718000002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword invasive species; novel ecosystems; nutrient management; Phalaris arundinacea; restoration