The Value of Native Ecosystems Ecosystem Services Ecosystem

The Value of Native Ecosystems

Ecosystem Services Ecosystem services are benefits that humans need to maintain a good quality of life. n n Clean waters Waster removal & decomposition Nutrient cycling Crop pollination

Other Benefits of Native Ecosystem Erosion control Weed control Maintains biodiversity Wildlife habitat n Endangered species

Lady Bird Johnson “Our Environmental First Lady”

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center “Sowing the Future, One Seed At a Time. ” http: //wildflower. org/

Estimating Ecosystem Value It is very difficult to put a price on the services & resources that ecosystems provide. Ecological yield—the harvestable products in the ecosystem. n Water, wood, fish or game, etc. A price can be based on the price of the natural resources that it yields each year.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Range of the Tall Grass Prairies of the U. S.

Agricultural Economy Switchgrass is good livestock forage. It’s demand as an alternative (“green”) energy source has made it a valuable cash crop. n As the use of biofuels increases in the U. S. , farmers should benefit.

Energy Economy Increase in demand & decrease in supply of fossil fuels has led to higher prices & has negatively affected the global economy. The U. S. is investigating new alternative energy sources that would reduce our dependence on nonrenewable energy sources.

Energy Economy We import over 1/3 of our energy. Healthy economies require stable and affordable energy sources. This also increased our interest in alternative energy sources that can be produced in the U. S.

Biofuels are fuels made from recently living biological material (including plants!). Advantages of Biofuels: n n n Reduce our dependence on imported energy Decrease carbon dioxide emissions Strengthen America's farm economy & create new jobs

Switchgrass & Biofuels (Panicum virgatum) The ideal “energy crop” They can grow as tall as 10 feet!!!

Corn-based Ethanol ~ 2 billion gallons of corn ethanol produced in the U. S. annually. Producing ethanol from corn requires almost as much energy to produce as it yields. Corn is a major food crop— producing ethanol from corn reduces its availability for food and inflate prices.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Biofuel It is a native perennial grass that does not have to be replanted annually, is easy to grow, & requires little water. Over one year, one acre of switchgrass can yield up to 11, 500 gallons of ethanol. The net energy output of switchgrass is ~20 times better than corn.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Biofuel Portions that cannot be converted to ethanol can be burned to produce electricity.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Biofuel There also environmental benefits for using switchgrass-based fuels including: n n n A native grass, switchgrass is well adapted to its ecosystem. It does not require additional fertilizers or water & is resistant to diseases. The deep, large root systems of native grasses also efficiently replenish the organic layer of soils as they decompose. It provides excellent habitat and nesting ground for birds & animals.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Biofuel Reduces soil erosion and filters chemicals and sediments from run off of farm fields into water bodies. Large, deep root system increases carbon sequestration both in the plant and below ground.

Native Grass Restoration Program