Economics of intercropping loblolly pine and switchgrass for bioenergy markets in the southeastern United States

Susaeta, Andres; Lal, Pankaj; Alavalapati, Janaki R.R.; Mercer, Evan; Carter, Douglas

doi:10.1007/s10457-011-9475-3

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is the most commercially productive species for timber in the southeastern US (SE US), covering over 13 million hectares in the region (Susaeta et al 2012). However, soil nutrient limitations are common, particularly in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting macronutrient concentrations from loblolly pine leaf reflectance across local and regional scales

Stein

Thomas

Lorentz

et al. 2014

GIScience & Remote Sensing

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Given the economic importance of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) in the southeastern US, there is a need to establish efficient methods of detecting potential nutrient deficiencies that may limit productivity. This study evaluated the use of remote sensing for macronutrient assessment in loblolly pine. Reflectance-based models were developed at two spatial scales: (1) a natural nutrient gradient across the species' range, and (2) localized fertilization and genotype treatments in North Carolina and Virginia. Fascicles were collected regionally from 237 samples of 3 flushes at 18 sites, and locally from 72 trees with 2 fertilization treatments and 6 genotypes. Sample spectral reflectance was calculated using a spectroradiometer, and nutrient concentrations were measured with dry combustion and wet chemical digestion. Results were analyzed statistically using nutrient correlations with reflectance and common vegetation indices, and partial least squares regression (PLSR). PLSR performed well at the regional scale, with R 2 values for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium of 0. 81, 0.70, 0.68, 0.42, and 0.51, respectively. No model successfully predicted nutrients at local sites for any treatment or canopy stratum. This discrepancy implies that a large nutrient range and/or spatial scale may be necessary to model loblolly pine nutrients with spectral reflectance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting macronutrient concentrations from loblolly pine leaf reflectance across local and regional scales

Stein

Thomas

Lorentz

et al. 2014

GIScience & Remote Sensing

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“…Loblolly pine is the second most common species in the United States [26] and is one of the most commercially important species in the southeast region of the country [18]. It comprises around half of the total standing pine volume in the south occupying a total of about 11.7 million hectares [27].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, bioenergy production substantially decreased the optimal rotation age leading to a substantial reduction of sawtimber yields at higher bioenergy prices. Similarly, Susaeta et al [18] analyzed the impacts of emerging woody bioenergy markets on the behavior of NIPF landowners in Florida. The results from the analysis suggest that bioenergy markets might financially benefit landowners.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Impact of Net Carbon Payments and Bioenergy Production in Fertilized and Non-Fertilized Loblolly Pine Plantations

Shrestha

Stainback

Dwivedi

2015

Forests

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Sequestering carbon in forest stands and using woody bioenergy are two potential ways to utilize forests in mitigating emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Such forestry related strategies are, however, greatly influenced by carbon and bioenergy markets. This study investigates the impact of both carbon and woody bioenergy markets on land expectation value (LEV) and rotation age of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests in the southeastern United States for two scenarios-one with thinning and no fertilization and the other with thinning and fertilization. Economic analysis was conducted using a modified Hartman model. The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during various activities such as management of stands, harvesting, and product decay was included in the model. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with a range of carbon offset, wood for bioenergy, and forest product prices. The results showed that LEV increased in both management scenarios as the price of carbon and wood for bioenergy increased. However, the results indicated that the management scenario without fertilizer was optimal at low carbon prices and the management scenario with fertilizer was optimal at higher carbon prices for medium and low forest product prices. Carbon payments had a greater impact on LEV than prices for wood utilized for bioenergy. Also, increase in the carbon price OPEN ACCESSForests 2015, 6 3046 increased the optimal rotation age, whereas, wood prices for bioenergy had little impact. The management scenario without fertilizer was found to have longer optimal rotation ages.

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“…Where research into engineered system components can occur rapidly, research and development of feedstock cannot move faster than crop establishment and growth, and perennial, forest-based systems face additional challenges. Competition between pine and switchgrass is a major component of the economic [34] and sustainability equation, yet switchgrass does not reach maturity for 3 years. Site preparation and sowing of switchgrass were expected to cause high erosion initially [35], yet once established, switchgrass is a very effective sediment control [36] and has even been shown to be effective in mitigated gully erosion [37].…”

Section: Dedicated Forest-based Feedstock Grown Specifically For Bioementioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Production of Bioenergy Feedstock from the Industrial Forest: Potential and Challenges of Operational Scale Implementation

Nettles

Birks

Sucre

et al. 2015

Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep

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There is increasing interest in energy from woody biomass as fossil fuel replacement, yet environmental and economic limitations have reduced feedstock available for bioenergy. Supply could likely be substantially increased with intensive forest management for productivity and utilization as well as forest-based dedicated energy crops. This paper discusses the role of industrial forests in sustainable bioenergy feedstock production and the lessons learned in an operational scale project. Catchlight Energy, LLC, a Chevron|Weyerhaeuser joint venture, evaluated intercropping switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in loblolly pine plantations for liquid transportation fuel, with the goal of full-scale production. Within Weyerhaeuser, sustainability and operational research were conducted simultaneously. While the environmental research is non-proprietary and being published as it is completed, operational trials were internal. To understand lessons learned, staff responsible for management, planning, logistics, and field operations were interviewed, and perceived and actual barriers to production described. Ongoing environmental research is showing that carefully planned field operations can be conducted sustainably, but energy crop production fell below levels needed for economic feasibility.

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Economics of intercropping loblolly pine and switchgrass for bioenergy markets in the southeastern United States

Cited by 27 publications

References 35 publications

Predicting macronutrient concentrations from loblolly pine leaf reflectance across local and regional scales

Predicting macronutrient concentrations from loblolly pine leaf reflectance across local and regional scales

Economic Impact of Net Carbon Payments and Bioenergy Production in Fertilized and Non-Fertilized Loblolly Pine Plantations

Sustainable Production of Bioenergy Feedstock from the Industrial Forest: Potential and Challenges of Operational Scale Implementation

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