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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Soil, Water & Air Resources Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312513
Title: Is cellulosic biofuel a threat or driver for soil conservation?

Author
item Karlen, Douglas

Submitted to: Getting Into Soil and Water
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2015
Publication Date: 5/1/2015
Citation: Karlen, D.L. 2015. Is cellulosic biofuel a threat or driver for soil conservation? In: Serrano, L., Aller, D., editors. Getting Into Soil and Water. Ames, IA:Iowa State University. p. 18-19.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The quantity of cellulosic feedstock harvested from our agricultural landscapes will increase dramatically during the next few years as the U.S. strives to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) by producing 60.5 billion liters (16 billion gallons) of cellulosic biofuels each year. Some may argue that other forms of renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, tidal, or geothermal) should be pursued, but the only renewable source of high-energy, dense-liquid fuels is biomass or plant matter. The challenge given to students through this Getting into Soil and Water (GISW) contribution is to consider pursuing careers that will help meet the food, feed, fiber, and fuel requirements of 9 billion people during their lifetime. It’s concluded that promoting a landscape vision for improved land use is the best way for conservationists, farmers, environmentalists, and others to ensure the nation’s fledgling bioenergy and bio-product industries move forward in a truly sustainable manner.