sustainability research

Crop residues are among the cellulosic feedstocks expected to provide renewable energy. The
availability of crop species and residue availability varies across the United States. Estimates of
harvestable residues must consider all the residues produced during the entire rotation. Inclusion
of fallow or low residue producing crops requires that less feedstock be harvested. A re-occurring
theme among the regions is that soils need to be safeguarded against erosion and against loss of soil
organic matter (SOM). First, highly erodible lands are categorically excluded from harvesting residues
in all regions. The minimum of residue needed to meet soil needs is highly variable. Where sufficient
residues are produced to meet soil conservation and SOM considerations, harvesting of a portion may
be considered. Soil conservation practices include eliminating or at least reducing tillage to keep the soil
covered, avoiding fallow and adding perennials, applying amendments (manure, biochar) and planting
cover crops in areas with sufficient moisture. Calculating regional or national availability of residue
feedstock is valuable for evaluating the feasibility of bioenergy production; however, on a field basis,
site-specific decision aids will be needed.

Although much is known about ecosystem services, a number of research gaps exist, and there are opportunities to strengthen collaboration. One of the major goals of this workshop was to discuss the current work of federal agencies in ecosystem services’ R&D related to sustainability while, at the same time, identify opportunities for program/project collaboration. Ecosystem services are the ecological processes that sustain and fulfill human life. General distinctions exist between provisioning, cultural, and regulating ecosystem services. Examples of these services include: • Provisioning—food, fresh water, fiber, and fuel; bull; Cultural—aesthetics, spiritual or educational, recreational betterment of humankind; bull; Regulating processes that mitigate floods, purify air, and control agricultural pests. The public is generally aware of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services, and institutions have been created to manage them, but regulating ecosystem services tend to be less recognizable to the non-technical community. Many federal agencies have created R&D programs and projects related to ecosystem services and sustainability. Common research foci among the federal agencies’ research and development strategies include aspects of climate change, life cycle assessments of multiple resources, ecological monitoring, climate modeling ecosystem management, and holistic, place-based ecosystem analyses.