Assessing the impact of within crop heterogeneity ('patchiness') in young Miscanthus × giganteus fields on economic feasibility and soil carbon sequestration. Issue 5 (17th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zimmermann, Jesko; Styles, David; Hastings, Astley; Dauber, Jens; Jones, Michael B
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 6:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 566
• Page End: 576
• Publication Date: 2013-05-17
• Subjects: Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Energy crops -- Periodicals; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-1693

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="gcbb12084-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In Ireland, <italic>Miscanthus</italic> × <italic>giganteus</italic> has the potential to become a major feedstock for bioenergy production. However, under current climatic conditions, Ireland is situated on the margin of the geographical range where <italic>Miscanthus</italic> production is economically feasible. It is therefore important to optimize the yield and other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration delivered by the crop. A survey of commercial <italic>Miscanthus</italic> fields showed a large number of areas with no <italic>Miscanthus</italic> crop cover. These patches can potentially lead to reduced crop yields and soil carbon sequestration and have a significant negative impact on the economic viability of the crop. The aim of this research is to assess patchiness on a field scale and to analyse the impacts on crop yield and soil carbon sequestration. Analysis of aerial photography images was carried out on six commercial <italic>Miscanthus</italic> plantations in south east Ireland. The analysis showed an average of 372.5 patches per hectare, covering an average of 13.7% of the field area. Using net present value models and a financial balance approach it was shown that patchiness has a significant impact on payback time for initial investments and might reduce gross margins by more than 50%. Total and <italic>Miscanthus</italic>‐derived soil organic carbon was measured in open patches and adjacent plots of high crop density showing significantly lower <italic>Miscanthus</italic>‐derived carbon stocks in open patches compared to high crop‐density patches (0.47Mg C ha<sup>−1</sup> ± 0.42 SD and 0.91Mg C ha<sup>−1</sup> ± 0.55 SD). Using geographic information system (GIS) it was shown that on a field scale <italic>Miscanthus</italic>‐derived carbon stocks were reduced by 7.38% ± 7.25 SD. However, total soil organic carbon stocks were not significantly different between open patches and high crop density plots indicating no impact on the overall carbon sequestration on a field scale over 3–4 years since establishment for these <italic>Miscanthus</italic> sites.</p> </abstract>