Cultivating energy not weeds: The intersection of bioenergy and invasion ecology
Jacob Barney, Assistant Professor – Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science – Virginia Tech
Thursday, April 5, 2012
12:20 – 1:10 pm
135 Emerson Hall
Unlike traditional food, feed, and fiber crops, bioenergy crops are being selected to be maximally productive on marginal land, which requires they be easy to establish, highly competitive, and thrive with minimal human intervention. The most promising crops are perennial rhizomatous grasses and fast growing trees that exhibit rapid growth rates, possess broad climatic tolerance, tolerate poor growing conditions, harbor few pests, and require minimal inputs. These traits also describe the invasive ‘ideotype’, and typify many of our worst invasive species, most of which were intentionally introduced. I will discuss the risk of invasion and mitigation strategies for the bioenergy industry.
Light refreshments will be served starting at noon.