The Value of Native The Value of Native EcosystemsEcosystems

Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem ServicesEcosystem services are benefits that Ecosystem services are benefits that humans need to maintain a good quality of humans need to maintain a good quality of life. life. Clean watersClean waters Waster removal & decompositionWaster removal & decomposition Nutrient cyclingNutrient cycling Crop pollinationCrop pollination

Other Benefits of Native EcosystemOther Benefits of Native Ecosystem

Erosion controlErosion control

Weed controlWeed control

Maintains biodiversityMaintains biodiversity

Wildlife habitatWildlife habitat Endangered speciesEndangered species

Lady Bird JohnsonLady Bird Johnson“Our Environmental First Lady”“Our Environmental First Lady”

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

“Sowing the Future, One Seed At a Time.”

http://www.wildflower.org/

Estimating Ecosystem Value Estimating Ecosystem Value

It is very difficult to put a price on the It is very difficult to put a price on the services & resources that ecosystems services & resources that ecosystems provide.provide.

Ecological yieldEcological yield—the harvestable products —the harvestable products in the ecosystem.in the ecosystem. Water, wood, fish or game, etc.Water, wood, fish or game, etc.

A price can be based on the price of the A price can be based on the price of the natural resources that it yields each year.natural resources that it yields each year.

SwitchgrassSwitchgrass((Panicum virgatumPanicum virgatum))

Range of the Tall Grass Prairies of the U.S.

Agricultural EconomyAgricultural Economy

Switchgrass is good livestock forage.Switchgrass is good livestock forage.

It’s demand as an alternative (“green”) It’s demand as an alternative (“green”) energy source has made it a valuable energy source has made it a valuable cash crop.cash crop. As the use of biofuels increases in the U.S., As the use of biofuels increases in the U.S.,

farmers should benefit. farmers should benefit.

Energy EconomyEnergy Economy

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

Energy EconomyEnergy Economy

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

BiofuelsBiofuels

Biofuels are fuels made from recently Biofuels are fuels made from recently living biological material (including plants!).living biological material (including plants!).

Advantages of Biofuels:Advantages of Biofuels: Reduce our dependence on imported energyReduce our dependence on imported energy Decrease carbon dioxide emissionsDecrease carbon dioxide emissions Strengthen America's farm economy & create Strengthen America's farm economy & create

new jobsnew jobs

Switchgrass & BiofuelsSwitchgrass & Biofuels (Panicum virgatum)

The ideal “energy crop”The ideal “energy crop”

They can grow as tall as 10 feet!!!

Corn-based EthanolCorn-based Ethanol

~ 2 billion gallons of corn ~ 2 billion gallons of corn ethanol produced in the U.S. ethanol produced in the U.S. annually. annually.

Producing ethanol from corn Producing ethanol from corn requires almost as much energy requires almost as much energy to produce as it yields.to produce as it yields.

Corn is a major food crop—Corn is a major food crop—producing ethanol from corn producing ethanol from corn reduces its availability for food reduces its availability for food and inflate prices.and inflate prices.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Advantages of Switchgrass as a BiofuelBiofuel

It is a native perennial It is a native perennial grass that does not grass that does not have to be replanted have to be replanted annually, is easy to annually, is easy to grow, & requires little grow, & requires little water.water.

Over one year, one Over one year, one acre of switchgrass acre of switchgrass can yield up to 11,500 can yield up to 11,500 gallons of ethanol.gallons of ethanol.

The net energy output of The net energy output of switchgrass is ~20 times switchgrass is ~20 times better than cornbetter than corn..

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Advantages of Switchgrass as a BiofuelBiofuel

Portions that cannot be converted to ethanol Portions that cannot be converted to ethanol can be burned to produce electricity.can be burned to produce electricity.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Advantages of Switchgrass as a BiofuelBiofuel

There are also environmental benefits for There are also environmental benefits for using switchgrass-based fuels including:using switchgrass-based fuels including:

A native grass, switchgrass is well adapted to its A native grass, switchgrass is well adapted to its ecosystem. It does not require additional fertilizers or ecosystem. It does not require additional fertilizers or water & is resistant to diseases.water & is resistant to diseases.

The deep, large root systems of native grasses also The deep, large root systems of native grasses also efficiently replenish the organic layer of soils as they efficiently replenish the organic layer of soils as they decompose.decompose.

It provides excellent habitat and nesting ground for birds & It provides excellent habitat and nesting ground for birds & animals.animals.

Advantages of Switchgrass as a Advantages of Switchgrass as a BiofuelBiofuel

Reduces soil erosion Reduces soil erosion and filters chemicals and filters chemicals and sediments from and sediments from run off of farm fields run off of farm fields into water bodies.into water bodies.

Large, deep root Large, deep root system increases system increases carbon sequestration carbon sequestration both in the plant and both in the plant and below ground.below ground.

Native Grass Restoration ProgramNative Grass Restoration Program