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Forest Disturbance Processes

Carbon Implications of Poplar Energy Crops Throughout the Energy Supply Chain

Research Issue

[photo:] Poplar energy crops harvested for evaluation of aboveground carbon storage.Woody production systems and conversion technologies are needed to: maintain healthy forests and ecosystems, create high paying manufacturing jobs, and meet local/regional energy demands. Poplars are dedicated energy crops that can be strategically placed in the landscape to conserve soil and water, recycle nutrients, and sequester carbon. However, key environmental and economic uncertainties preclude broad-scale production of biofuels/bioproducts from poplar wood. Therefore, building on decades of research conducted at our Institute and throughout the region, we are evaluating the fate of carbon in soils and woody biomass, soil greenhouse gas emissions, and conversion efficiency barriers throughout the energy supply chain.  

Our Research

We are currently: 1) evaluating soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) during establishment, 2) determining carbon sequestration in aboveground biomass during plantation development, and 3) identifying poplar genotypes with high productivity and low recalcitrance for biochemical conversion. Overall, we seek to synthesize the results within the framework of the energy supply chain.

Expected Outcomes

Our multidisciplinary partnership enhances long-standing collaborations among the Northern Research Station, Forest Products Laboratory, Iowa State University, and Michigan Technological University scientists and provides further internal FS R&D linkages between resource management (NRS) and utilization (FPL). Direct benefits include a better understanding of carbon stocks in soils and aboveground biomass, GHG emissions, and selection of favorable poplar genotypes for biochemical conversion. Researchers and resources managers will be able to make informed policy and management decisions, and private landowners will enhance conservation of their natural resources while moving closer to job creation via woody feedstock production.

Research Results

Headlee, W.L.; Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Hall, R.B.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Randall, J.A.; Wiese, A.H. 2014. Aboveground biomass production and carbon sequestration of 12 hybrid poplar genotypes harvested from 17 sites in the north-central USA. In: International Poplar Symposium VI; July 20-23, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Headlee, W.L.; Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Hall, R.B.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Randall, J.A.; Wiese, A.H. 2014. Influences of site conditions and clonal selection on hybrid poplar biomass growth and carbon content in the upper Midwest, USA. In: 10th Biennial Conference of the Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group; July 17-19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA.

Zalesny, R.S.; Jr.; Headlee, W.L. 2014. Comparing aboveground, stand-level carbon storage potential of intensively-managed poplar with plantation-grown eastern white pine in the North Central United States. In: International Poplar Symposium VI; July 20-23, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Zalesny, R.S.; Jr.; Headlee, W.L. 2014. Developing woody crops for the enhancement of ecosystem services under changing climates in the North Central United States. In: International Symposium on Tree Breeding Strategies to Cope with Climate Change; September 15-19, 2014; Suwon, Republic of Korea.

Zalesny, R.S.; Jr.; Headlee, W.L.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Hall, R.B.; Parker, B.; Wiese, A.H. 2014. Contrasting ecosystem services of hybrid poplar and white pine in the upper-Midwest, USA. In: 10th Biennial Conference of the Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group; July 17-19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA.

Headlee, William L.; Zalesny, Ronald S. Jr.; Hall, Richard B.; Bauer, Edmund O.; Bender, Bradford; Birr, Bruce A.; Miller, Raymond O.; Randall, Jesse A.; Wiese, Adam H.  2013. Specific gravity of hybrid poplars in the north-central region, USA: within-tree variability and site × genotype effects. Forests. 4: 251-269.

Headlee, W.L.; Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Hall, R.B.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Randall, J.A.; Wiese, A.H. 2013. Effects of genotype and environment on carbon sequestration of hybrid poplars in the North-Central USA. In: 10th International Phytotechnologies Conference; October 1-4, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Headlee, W.L. 2013. Poplar energy crop development in the North Central United States: biomass supply potential and ecosystem services. In: IBBC 2003 – TAPPI International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference: A Fresh Look at Biomass Utilization; September 18-20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA.

Padley, E.A.; Donner, D.M.; Fassnacht, K.S.; Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Birr, B.; Martin, K.J. 2011. Managing carbon sequestration and storage in northern hardwood forests. Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society (WCTWS), 2011 Winter Meeting; March 1- 3, 2011; Wisconsin Dells, WI. p 37.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr. 2012. Woody feedstock production for bioenergy and environmental sustainability in the North Central United States. In: 3rd Pan American Congress on Plants and Bioenergy; July 15-18, 2012; Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Brissette, J.; Colombo, S.; Froese, R.E.; Groom, L.; Hall, R.B.; Headlee WL, et al. 2012. Assessing the environmental sustainability of plantation Populus and Pinus in North America. In: 9th Biennial Conference of the Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Group; November 5-8, 2012; Oak Ridge, TN, USA. pp 33-34.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Bauer, E.O.; Birr, B.A.; Brissette, J.; Colombo, S.; et al. 2012. Ecosystem services associated with purpose-grown Populus and Pinus in North America. In: 9th Conference of the International Phytotechnology Society: Phytotechnologies – Plant-based Strategies to Clean Water, Soil, Air and Provide Ecosystem Services; September 11-14, 2012; Hasselt, University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Coyle, D.R.; Donner, D.M.; Headlee, W.L. 2012. Identifying suitable areas for woody crop production systems in Wisconsin and Minnesota to maximize productivity, increase ecosystem services and meet energy feedstock demands. Unpublished final research report to Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy, Madison, WI. 62 p.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Headlee, W.L.; Hall, R.B.; Coyle, D.R. 2010. Carbon sequestration potential of poplar energy crops in the Midwest, USA. In: Fifth International Poplar Symposium: Poplars and Willows: From Research Models to Multipurpose Trees for a Biobased Society; September 20-25, 2010; Orvieto, Italy. p 185.

Zalesny, R.S., Jr.; Headlee, W.L.; Hall, R.B.; Donner, D.M.; Coyle, D.R. 2010. Carbon in energy plantations and hardwood forests in the Midwest, USA. In: International Energy Agency Bioenergy Conference; Sustainability Across the Supply Chain of Land-based Biomass. June 1-4, 2010; Kamloops, BC, Canada.

 

Research Participants

Principal Investigators

  • Ronald S. Zalesny Jr., US Forest Service Northern Research Station- Team Leader, Research Plant Geneticist
  • William L. Headlee, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ames, IA

Research Partners

  • Richard B. Hall, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ames, IA
  • JY Zhu, US Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI
  • Robert E. Froese, Michigan Technological University, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Houghton, MI
  • Jesse A. Randall, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ames, IA
  • Edmund O. Bauer, US Forest Service Northern Research Station- Technician Emeritus
  • Adam H. Wiese, US Forest Service Northern Research Station- Forestry Technician
  • Bruce A. Birr, US Forest Service Northern Research Station- Laboratory Technician
  • David R. Coyle, University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA
  • Christopher W. Swanston, US Forest Service Northern Research Station- Research Ecologist

Last Modified: October 3, 2016