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Sustainable Bioenergy Cropping Systems
When it comes to biodiversity, some biofuel crops are better than others
The type of bioenergy crops we plant – as well as where and how we plant them – could have huge impacts on biodiversity. A new study finds some ‘next generation’ solutions aren’t much better than the first.
Julia Martien’s philosophy in life is to have fun while trying to make the world a better place. That includes the work she did for her graduate study as part of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
This week we spoke with Leta Landucci, an undergraduate researcher in John Ralph's lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to talk about her research into popular tree enzymes, how her research connects with plant engineering, and her experience working with talented scientists.
This week we spoke with Yanhua Xie, a postdoctoral researcher in the Holly Gibbs lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to talk about why he came to UW-Madison, his recent publications on cropland and irrigation distribution in the U.S. and his plans for the future.
Tim Donohue, UW–Madison professor of bacteriology, has been named director of the Wisconsin Energy Institute. WEI provides leadership in energy and clean technology research, scholarship, education and outreach. The research institute administers collaborative research grants to develop sustainable alternatives to meet society’s ever-growing need for energy and ways to source it.
Bioenergy carbon capture and sequestration can increase biorefinery size and economy when incorporated with energy production factors in the making of biofuels and bioproducts.
Entomology doctoral student Allison Zahorec has found meaning through researching tiny arthropods, helping children overcome fear of insects and experiencing scientists opening up to social justice.
Chemists at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center have developed a new technology that converts biomass into both carbohydrates and lignin-derived aromatic monomers in a single step.
This week we spoke with Balendra Sah, a postdoctoral researcher in Robert Landick’s lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to talk about his research into engineering bacteria to make biofuels and what led him to UW–Madison.
"Restoring current marginal croplands to perennial grasses can immediately begin to reverse and improve these trends, thereby offering a clear solution and pathway to improve agricultural sustainability," says Tyler Lark, a researcher with the GLBRC and UW–Madison’s Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies.
The fungi that live in the seeds and in the leaves of plants play a part in the overall health and productivity of their host plants. That role isn’t well-defined despite big implications of that understanding for farmers and other land managers.
