Some ecological and socio-economic considerations for biomass energy crop production

Power generation using biomass could provide substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits. Production of the feedstocks to fuel biomass power plants can either add to potential environmental gains or contribute to the environmental problems which the agriculture and forestry industries already face. Likewise, the biomass energy infrastructure can help strengthen agricultural economies or speed the decline of rural communities. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a regional approach to ensure that energy crop production will proceed in an ecologically and economically sustainable way. At this juncture, we have the opportunity to build into the system some ecological and socio-economic values which have not traditionally been considered. If crop species are chosen and sited properly, incorporation of energy crops into our agricultural system could provide extensive wildlife habitat and address soil and water quality concerns, in addition to generating renewable power. We recommend that three types of agricultural land be targeted for perennial biomass energy crops: (1) highly erodible land; (2) wetlands presently converted to agricultural uses; and (3) marginal agricultural land in selected regions. Fitting appropriate species to these lands, biomass crops can be successfully grown on lands not ecologically suited for conventional farming practices, thus providing an environmental benefit in addition to producing an economic return to the land owner.