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The Impacts Of Miscanthus×Giganteus Production On The Midwest Us Hydrologic Cycle, Andy Vanloocke, Carl J. Bernacchi, Tracy E. Twine
The Impacts Of Miscanthus×Giganteus Production On The Midwest Us Hydrologic Cycle, Andy Vanloocke, Carl J. Bernacchi, Tracy E. Twine
Andy VanLoocke
Perennial grasses are being considered as candidates for biofuel feedstocks to provide an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Miscanthus×giganteus (miscanthus), in particular, is a grass that is predicted to provide more energy per sown area than corn ethanol and reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by increasing the storage of carbon belowground. Miscanthus uses more water than Zea mays (maize), mainly as a result of a longer growing season and higher productivity. Conversion of current land use for miscanthus production will likely disrupt regional hydrologic cycles, yet the magnitude, timing, and spatial distribution of effects are unknown. Here, we show …