Diversity, productivity and landscape-level effects in North American grasslands managed for biomass production

Authors

Christopher R. Webster, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
David J. Flaspohler, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Randall D. Jackson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Timothy D. Meehan, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Claudio Gratton, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Department

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Abstract

Expanding markets for bioenergy will increasingly shape the composition and configuration of crop production. Growing interest in second-generation biofuels (e.g., lignocellulosic ethanol) is driving a discussion about the most productive and appropriate cropping systems. Interest in perennial grasslands as a bioenergy source has many people asking about the importance of plant community diversity in bolstering productivity, resistance to pest and pathogen pressure and wildlife habitat, among other ecosystem services. We review the current understanding of diversity-productivity relationships across multiple spatial scales, but also emphasize perspectives that have received less attention in the literature.

Publisher's Statement

© 2010 Future Science Ltd. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.10.18

Publication Title

Biofuels

Recommended Citation

Webster, C. R., Flaspohler, D. J., Jackson, R., Meehan, T., & Gratton, C. (2010). Diversity, productivity and landscape-level effects in North American grasslands managed for biomass production. Biofuels, 1(3), 451-461. http://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.10.18
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/14233