Progress 08/15/14 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience: Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1 graduate students and several undergradate students How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?yes, see presentation list. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Acconplishments are decribed below: The sustainable development of biomass as a feedstock for bioenergy is a critical national priority in the US. In New York, shrub willow has been identified to fill this need. Introducing a new crop on a commercial scale will have implications for water quantity, water quality (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P)), and greenhouse gas (GHG) flux (N2O, CH4, and CO2) at the soil-atmosphere interface. Here, we studied the impact of shrub willow fields of various ages (2, 5-years old) under various management strategies (fertilized vs. unfertilized) on water, N, P, and carbon (C) cycling on marginal cropland at the field scale compared to conventionally fertilized corn and hay over the course of one year. Results indicate lower erosion potential and shorter periods of hydrologic connectivity between surface and subsurface reservoirs in willow and hay than in corn. Soil water concentrations of PO43- were measurable in willow (<0.05 mg/L) while generally at or below the detection limit (<0.005 mg/L) for corn and hay, while NO3- was higher in corn (2.76 ± 2.33 mg N/L) and hay (3.40 ± 0.94 mg N/L) than in willow (0.45 ± 0.70 mg N/L). Gas fluxes varied spatially and temporally, impacted by the soil aerobic/anaerobic balance, soil type, soil temperature, N and C availability, and land management. Net CO2 equivalent and CH4 fluxes at the soil-atmosphere interface were similar between all fields with willow soils releasing more CO2, and corn and hay soils releasing more N2O into the atmosphere. In willow, CO2 fluxes were controlled primarily by seasonality, while limited responses of CH4 and N2O to snowmelt and storm events were observed. In corn and hay, CO2 did not respond to seasonal controls while N2O and CH4 spiked during snowmelt and storm events. From a management standpoint, willow will have minimal impact on overall GHG flux at the soil-atmosphere interface and a positive impact on water quality compared to corn and hay due to low NO3- concentrations and limited potential for PO43- loss due to short periods of hydrologic connectivity and low erosion potential. In addition, although the notion of ecosystem services has been widely used to evaluate the impact of ecosystems on human well-being, there is still a need for more scientific research to increase the value of ecosystem services beyond conventional valuation systems (e.g. monetary, intrinsic). Bioenergy cropping systems hold the potential to provide a variety of ecosystem services to improve human well-being compared to conventional monoculture crops and fossil fuel based energy sources. Shrub willow (Salix spp) has been identified as a bioenergy crop that is well suited for the state of New York, where this study takes place, investigating the ecosystem services of shrub willow woody biomass from an environmental science perspective based on biophysical data collected in Cape Vincent, NY, and from literature pertaining to perennial biomass crops. Transitioning from conventional corn or hay to willow will impact water quality by reducing excess nutrient loss and erosion; have little impact on greenhouse gas flux at the soil-atmosphere interface or soil organic carbon; improve biodiversity and adaptability to climate change; and increase access to recreational activities. Transitioning from conventional fossil fuels to shrub willow woody biomass has the potential to improve regional energy security by diversifying access to high efficiency alternative energy sources, and reduce fossil carbon loss as CO2.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bressler*, A., Vidon, P., Volk, T. 2017. Impact of shrub willow (Salix spp) as a potential bioenergy feedstock on water quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 228:170-188, DOI: 10.1007/s11270-017-3350-4.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bressler*, A., Vidon, P., Volk, T., Hirsch, P. 2017. Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Commercial Shrub Willow (Salix spp) Woody Biomass Crop. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, DOI: 10.1007/s10661- 017-5841-6.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bressler, A., Hirsch, P., Vidon, P., Volk, T. 2016. Beyond Bioenergy Developing a Conceptual Framework to Assess Ecosystem Services in Shrub Willow Fields. 11th Biennial Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, October 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vidon, P., Bressler, A., Volk, T., 2016. Impact of shrub willow (salix L.) as bioenergy feedstock on water and air quality. American Water Resources Association Specialty conference on Water-Energy-Environment, Anchorage, Alaska, April 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bressler, A., P. G. Vidon, T. A. Volk., 2016, Impact of shrub willow (Salix sp) as a potential bioenergy feedstock on environmental quality in Cape Vincent, New York, Graduate Student Presentations. New York Society of American Foresters. 2016 Annual Meeting: Integrated Resource Management. Jan. 27-29. Syracuse, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bressler, A., P. G. Vidon, P.D. Hirsch, T. A. Volk, 2016, Ecosystem Services of Shrub Willow Woody Biomass in Cape Vincent, NY. Poster Reception. New York Society of American Foresters. 2016. Annual Meeting: Integrated Resource Management. Jan. 27-29. Syracuse, NY.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Bressler* A., Vidon P., Volk, T. 2015. Impact of shrub willow as a potential bioenergy feedstock on water quality and GHG emissions at the field scale. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual meeting, Minneapolis, MN, November 2015.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Results will be shared with the USDA-NRCS, and other technical service providers (TSP) involved in woody biomass production Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student, one undergraduate student How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, through publications previously listed. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Short of presenting the work at one more confernece, the work is complete.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two papers were published. The abstract below summarize the findings of this study: Impact of Shrub Willow (Salix spp) As a Potential Bioenergy Feedstock on Water Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions:The development of shrub willow as a bioenergy feedstock contributes to renewable energy portfolios in many countries with temperate climates and marginal croplands. As willow is developed commercially in the US Northeast, there is a need to better understand its impact on water quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to alternative land uses (e.g. corn, hay). We measured the impact of cultivated willow of various ages (2 & 5 years) and management strategies (fertilized vs. unfertilized) compared to corn and hay on water table depth, soil water NO3- and PO43- concentrations, and N2O, CH4, and CO2 fluxes at the soil-atmosphere interface during a drier than normal year in heavy clay soils with marginal agricultural value in upstate New York, USA. Soil water concentrations resulted in higher PO43- in willow and higher NO3- in corn and hay, although willow is unlikely to negatively impact water quality with respect to phosphorus due to shorter periods of hydrologic connectivity in willow and hay than in corn. Gas fluxes varied spatially and temporally with hot moments of CH4 and N2O in corn and hay and seasonally variable CO2 in willow. While CH4 did not vary between fields, N2O was higher in corn and hay, and CO2 in willow, resulting in no net difference between CO2 equivalent (CH4, CO2, and N2O) emissions between fields. Converting marginal cropland on clay soils from corn or hay to willow left overall GHG emissions unaffected, slightly increased PO43- and decreased NO3- concentrations in soil water. Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Commercial Shrub Willow (Salix spp) Woody Biomass Crops:The development of shrub willow as a bioenergy feedstock contributes to renewable energy portfolios in many countries with temperate climates and marginal croplands due to excessive moisture. However, to fully understand the potential of shrub willow as an alternative crop on marginal cropland, more research is needed to understand the potential of shrub willow for providing a variety of ecosystem services. At the same time, there is much need for research developing strategies to value ecosystem services beyond conventional valuation systems (e.g. monetary, intrinsic). In this context, this project investigates the ecosystem services of shrub willow woody biomass from an environmental science perspective, and proposes a new avenue to assess ecosystem services for management purposes based on the relative value of key ecosystem services under various land management strategies (i.e. willow vs. corn vs. hay). On marginal cropland in the US Northeast, shrub willow may be used to replace crops like corn or hay. Transitioning from conventional corn or hay to willow tends to reduce nutrient loss and erosion, improve biodiversity and adaptability to climate change; and increase access to recreational activities. However, it is unlikely to change soil carbon pools or greenhouse gas emissions at the soil-atmosphere interface. By encouraging decision makers to weight the pros and cons of each management decision (i.e. willow vs. corn vs. hay) based on the situation, the ecosystems services valuation method used here provides a clear framework for decision making in a watershed management context.?
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bressler*, A., Vidon, P., Volk, T., Hirsch, P. 2017. Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Commercial Shrub Willow (Salix spp) Woody Biomass Crop. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5841-6
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bressler*, A., Vidon, P., Volk, T. 2017. Impact of shrub willow (Salix spp) as a potential bioenergy feedstock on water quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Water, Air and Soil Pollution (in press).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Bressler, A., Hirsch, P., Vidon, P., Volk, T. 2016. Beyond Bioenergy Developing a Conceptual Framework to Assess Ecosystem Services in Shrub Willow Fields. 11th Biennial Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, October 2016.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vidon, P., Bressler, A., Volk, T., 2016. Impact of shrub willow (salix L.) as bioenergy feedstock on water and air quality. American Water Resources Association Specialty conference on Water-Energy-Environment, Anchorage, Alaska, April 2016.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Results will be shared with the USDA-NRCS, and other technical service providers (TSP) involved in woody biomass production, and the data collected with this project will be shared with Dr. May Wu of the Argonne National Laboratory to model the water footprint of the willow biofuel pathway. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student (MS) is working on the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Finish data collection and publish results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have selected a series of 4 shrub willow production fields of various ages (establishment, one one-year old site, one three-year old site nearing the end of the first rotation, and a 6 year-old site in the middle of the second rotation) and 2 reference fields (1 corn, 1 hay) adjacent and similar in soil characteristics and hydrology to the shrub willow sites (Fig. 1). These sites are part of the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project area, and are either under lease arrangements with SUNY-ESF or under the direct control of the college (Figure 1). SUNY ESF collaborated in the development of the USDA BCAP project and has been working with the USDA and landowners involved in the program since it was announced in May of 2012. Together, the BCAP project area covers 339 ha, with new sites established in Jefferson county in 2013 and additional areas planned for 2014. Between existing and new sites, this 2-year project will allow us to track the impact of the commercial production of willow biomass crops of various ages on water quantity, water quality, and key water related ecosystem services via a partial space for time substitution for the equivalent of 8 production years (2 years x 4 sites of various ages = 8 years of production)(Palmer et al., 2005). Three instrument clusters will be established in each field to account for intra-site variability (Fig. 2). Water levels and groundwater quality will be measured using groundwater wells (2" ID, 1.5 m deep), while GHG fluxes will be measured using static chambers (Jacinthe et al. 2012; Vidon et al., in press). Sedimentation tiles, erosion pins, and overland flow samplers will be used to assess surface water quantity and quality, and erosion and sedimentation. Moisture sensors will also be installed in each cluster at 10 and 30 cm depth (Fig. 2). In each field, we will use above ground biomass determination as a proxy for willow growth rates to limit costs, and link yield data to water quantity/quality data.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Bressler A., Vidon P., Volk, T. 2015. Impact of shrub willow as a potential bioenergy feedstock on water quality and GHG emissions at the field scale. ASA, CSSA and SSSA Annual meeting, Minneapolis, MN, November 2015.
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Progress 08/15/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Results from this work will be shared with the scientific community through presentations are scientific meetings (e.g. SSSA, GSA, AGU) and through the publications of several peer-reviewed publications (see PIs' CVs for publication history). More importantly, the results of our research will be shared with the USDA-NRCS, and other technical service providers (TSP) involved in woody biomass production, though PD Volk's existing outreach and extension efforts. PD Volk will organize site visits (2 per year: growing season (May - September), and harvest season (November - April)) at some of our sites targeted at individuals and organizations interested in promoting willow biomass crops and in initiating additional willow biomass expansion projects, including current and prospective growers and owners of suitable agricultural land, agricultural and natural resource managers, extension educators, agricultural lenders and bioenergy investors. Results from this research project will be incorporated into the brochures and discussion sessions associated with these site visits, especially as it relates to the sustainability of this system and to crop management practices that need to be recommended into conservation plans under the BCAP project. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Research experience for one graduate student and one undergraduate student. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue monitoring the site and start analyzing the results. We will also present preliminary results at regional and national conferences.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This is the first report for the period ending on September 30th, 2014. The project started in August 2014, or one month earlier. During that time, we were able to instrument all the sites and hire a graduate and undergraduate students to work on the project.
Publications
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