Fossil fuel use and land use changes (especially deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems to annual cropland) are causing a rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration. Increasing CO2 (in combination with other greenhouse gases) is likely to produce significant regional and global warming, altered patterns of precipitation and cloud cover, accelerated sea level rise, and perhaps increased frequency of extreme weather events, some of which are apparently now underway. Terrestrial carbon storage can be enhanced by developing perennial plants that have long productive lifespans and mutliple, long-lived product applications (such as fiberboards, insulation, acoustical tiles) made from annually harvested plant organs. The ideal crop would be managed with no-till, zero-runoff agriculture, and sustainable (organic) protocols. Phase-I will focus on collection of baseline soil carbon data in each of eight distinct perennial or deciduous habitats on a 277 acre farm (Zone 8/9, Texas Coastal Plain). These will include Hibiscus fields, pasture, hayfield, and riparian and wetland habitat, and pond production areas. Based on the Phase-I data, permanent habitat-specific protocols will be established for monitoring soil carbon and biomass production.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The crop returns carbon to the soil by leaf fall and root "leakage" of complex sugars, produces about 8 tons per acre of cane for fiber applications (fiberboard, accoustical tiles, etc.) or biomass (co-generation or bio-fuels), and 2-3 tons per acre of "green organs" for food, oils, cosmetics and nutra- and pharmaceuticals.
