| Title: | Ecological Dimensions of Biofuels: Conference and Workshop |
| Type: |
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| State: | District of Columbia |
| Program Description: | Ecological Society of America - Ecological Dimensions of Biofuels: Conference and Workshop
The Western Governors’ Association, using a grant from the Department of Energy (DOE), was a co-sponsor of the Ecological Dimensions of Biofuels Conference and Workshop held on March 10-12, 2008 in Washington, D.C.. The conference was well attended with 330 attendees. Detailed information on the conference can be found on the Ecological Society of America website, Biofuels Conference . Biofuels Conference Biofuels are being substituted for fossil fuels to reduce reliance on foreign oil and to reduce carbon emissions. The goal of the conference was to examine the ecological consequences of this choice, with an eye to helping policy makers and others make sound decisions about biofuels production and the environment. The conference brought together scientists to determine the comprehensiveness of our understanding of the ecological consequences of growing crops for biofuels, and to identify knowledge gaps which still need to be addressed. The conference was a one-day event for the public, followed by a two-day workshop for invited ecological scientists to discuss the issues presented at the conference and develop recommendations for future research. Issues addressed at the conference include: What is known about opportunities for sustainable production of biofuels, including crop selection, farming practices, feedstock transportation, and refinery location? What management strategies would best sustain important ecological services while increasing biofuel production? What are the implications of biofuel production for water quality and landscape dynamics relative to other land uses such as food and fiber production or wildlife conservation? What are the key knowledge gaps that need to be addressed so that policymakers, environmental managers, and producers are able to support environmentally sustainable biofuel production? What are the potential effects of biofuel production on landscapes that are both managed and relatively unmanaged, including intensively farmed areas, rangelands, natural grasslands, and forests? What emerging technologies may reduce or mitigate adverse impacts of biofuels production? Publications A group of scientists involved in the workshop later published an article entitled, “Sustainable Biofuels Redux” in the October 3, 2008 edition of Science Magazine. “Sustainable Biofuels Redux” brings out the issue that the intense agriculture used for grain-based biofuels production can increase soil erosion, increase nitrate and phosphorus loss, impact ground and surface water quality and air quality, and lead to a decline in biodiversity. Improved farming practices can mitigate these effects but incentives are needed to ensure their use. The authors recommend the use of best available practices for biofuel crop production and adopting environmental performance standards for biofuels production. Science Magazine article The February, 2009 issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine contained an article on the Conference and Workshop, Ethanol Producer Magazine article Contact Information For more information, contact Dr. Clifford Duke Ecological Society of America 990 M Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 833-8773 Fax: (202) 833-8775 Mobile: (202) 320-0905 E-mail: csduke@esa.org www.esa.org/science |
The Woody Biomass Utilization Database is a project of the Western Governors' Association
designed to increase awareness of the use of biomass resources for economic development and
environmental sustainability. Program objectives highlighted include biomass energy and
heating activities, education programs, and projects and technologies involving biomass
residue resulting from forest health treatments to reduce wildfire hazard risk.