Biomass production for biofuels using agroforestry: potential for the North Central Region of the United States

As demand for energy increases in the United States, alternative energy sources are being sought both domestically and abroad. Biofuels have been promoted as a major source of alternative energy, but sustainable supply of biomass still remains a major challenge. Agroforestry offers a potential way t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agroforestry systems 2012-06, Vol.85 (2), p.305-314
Main Authors: Holzmueller, Eric J., Jose, Shibu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Agroforestry
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Alley cropping
Alternative energy sources
Biodiesel fuels
Biofuels
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Carbon sequestration
Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage
Energy crops
Food production
Forestry
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agronomy. Plant production
Generalities. Cropping systems and patterns
Life Sciences
Riparian forests
Traditional farming
Use of agricultural and forest wastes. Biomass use, bioconversion
Water quality
Wildlife habitats
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Summary:As demand for energy increases in the United States, alternative energy sources are being sought both domestically and abroad. Biofuels have been promoted as a major source of alternative energy, but sustainable supply of biomass still remains a major challenge. Agroforestry offers a potential way to integrate perennial woody bioenergy crops with traditional agricultural crops to satisfy energy demands without sacrificing food production in the North Central Region of the United States. We suggest shelterbelts, alley cropping and working riparian buffer strips as ideal candidates for biomass production in agroforestry settings in this region. In addition to satisfying domestic energy demands, these systems could also potentially increase water quality, sequester carbon, improve aesthetics, and provide critical wildlife habitat. However, obstacles to implementing agroforestry systems for biomass production, such as a competitive price structure and stable markets, must be overcome before large-scale adoption by landowners.
ISSN:0167-4366
1572-9680
DOI:10.1007/s10457-012-9502-z