MSU Biofuel Research: Can Cellulosic Ethanol Crops Enhance Conservation?  

Cellulosic ethanol production promises greatly increased energy efficiency and could be a win–win for farmers, soil and water conservation, wildlife, and the environment. Michigan State University researchers are examining how different biofuels crops may affect conservation outcomes. They are studying the impact of potential biofuels crops on song and game bird numbers, beneficial insects, and soil microbes. They are currently looking for sites throughout southern Michigan to conduct these studies. Ideal sites would have a pure (or nearly pure) stand of switchgrass, a mixed grass and wildflower planting (for example a mixed prairie, CRP or Pheasants Forever type planting) and a nearby conventional corn field. Ideally, each would be at least 5 acres in size and within 2 miles of each other. The switchgrass and mixed prairie stands should be well established, i.e. at least 3 years old. From May to October a small team of researchers will periodically visit each site to survey bird, insect and soil microbe communities. They anticipate about 12 visits to each field during the year. All information will be kept confidential and landowners will not be identified without prior permission. If you or someone you know has questions about the project or might be interested in participating, please contact Lauren Bailey (517) 432-5282 e-mail: bailey65@msu.edu.

MSU Biofuel Research: Can Cellulosic Ethanol Crops Enhance Conservation?  

Ethanol and biodiesel produced from plant materials, called biofuels, are increasingly in the news these days. Most ethanol in the US is currently produced from corn grain; however, new technologies are coming on-line to produce ethanol from cellulosic plant materials (stalks, leaves, woody stems etc.). Cellulosic ethanol production promises greatly increased energy efficiency and could be a win–win for farmers, soil and water conservation, wildlife, and the environment.

With funding from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University is examining how different biofuels crops may affect conservation outcomes. We are studying the impact of corn, switchgrass and mixed stands of prairie grasses and wildflowers on bird, insect and microbial communities. We believe that well chosen biofuel crops could enhance song and game bird numbers, increase numbers of beneficial insects and favor soil microbes that help reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

We Need Your Help Locating Research Sites

We are currently looking for sites throughout southern Michigan to conduct these studies. Ideal sites would have a pure (or nearly pure) stand of switchgrass, a mixed grass and wildflower planting (for example a prairie restoration, CRP or Pheasants Forever type planting) and a nearby conventional corn field. Ideally, each field should be at least 5 acres in size, and be within 2 miles of each other. The switchgrass and mixed prairie stands should be well established, i.e. at least 3 years old.

Sampling Procedures

From May to October a team of 4-5 MSU researchers will periodically visit the site to conduct surveys of bird, insect and soil microbe communities. Bird sampling will consist of counts of singing and nesting birds, insects will be sampled by passive sticky and bowl traps, and microbes by taking 1 inch soil cores. We anticipate 12 visits to each field during the year. In the fall we will harvest several small areas (about 2 square yards in size) to determine the amount of plant material produced above ground. All information will be kept confidential and landowners will not be identified without prior permission.

If you or someone you know has questions about the project or might be interested in participating, please contact Lauren Bailey (517) 432-5282 e-mail: bailey65@msu.edu.

Project Team

Dr. Doug Landis, Entomology, Dr. Doug Schemske, Plant Biology, Dr. Tom Schmidt, Microbiology, Mary Gardiner, Research Associate, Lauren Bailey, Research Assistant.

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