Cellulosic feedstock-friendly US maps produced by USGS

In Virginia, scientists from the US Geological Survey have developed a new method for mapping grasslands that demonstrate high potential for growing biofuel crops with relatively little energy input and environmental impact.

The pioneering investigation used remote sensing data from satellites to identify detailed areas of the Greater Platte River Basin (most of Nebraska, parts of adjacent states) that are best suited for producing cellulosic (from the cell walls of plants) biofuel derived from hardy switchgrass, a native plant that grows wild or is easily cultivated.

The maps of areas with high biofuel production potential were produced by combining satellite-derived vegetation data with weather data, soil types, terrain, and other physical data. An analytical method developed by the authors helps separate the influence of long-term year-to-year weather changes (e.g. drought) from short-term disturbance changes (e.g. fire or overgrazing) in order to identify suitable areas more accurately. The maps can be used to optimize land use decisions for biofuel development and sustainability.