Every year, millions of tons of wood waste produced by commercial timber harvests and forest restoration burn in open piles that send untold amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Is there a more feasible and economical way to utilize this waste wood? Follow this link to learn more: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=126349&org=NSF&from=news
Category: Conversion
Conversion webpage
Case Study: Thinning Mixed Conifer Stands — Forest Guild
This second project from the Klamath Falls Resource Area, entitled “Utilization of Small Diameter Conifers for Biomass in Mixed Conifer Plantations and Young Natural Stands,” was designed to utilize material from what would previously have been considered a pre-commercial thinning. Follow this link to learn more: http://biomass.forestguild.org/Case-Studies/1009.html
The Value of a Tree Lesson — Middle/High School
A lesson plan for middle school and high school grades to determine whether a tree should be used for fuel or left to sequester carbon. Includes isntructions, worksheets, and potential questions. Follow this link to learn more: https://docs.google.com/a/nararenewables.org/file/d/0B188lS8SaYDgTklBM002Q3p3bE0/edit
Eastern Washington Biomass Accessibility
Research on slash piles and residual forest biomass in Eastern Washington. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/em_biomass_final_report_eastern_study.pdf
Value of a Tree Lesson — Chart Sheet
A chart useful for The Value of a Tree, both elementary and high school versions Follow this link to learn more: https://docs.google.com/a/nararenewables.org/file/d/0B188lS8SaYDgV0RCMmJWY1FuZ3c/edit
Wood Science 101 (12) – Extracting Lignin from Wood in the Laboratory (Part 1)
Brett Diehl, a graduate student at Penn State, has been studying the process of lignin extraction from various wood species. In the following video, Brett explains what lignin is, why he is studying it, and how the specific extraction process works. Follow this link to learn more: http://gowood.blogspot.com/2013/08/wood-science-101-12-extracting-lignin.html
Tree growth ten years after residual biomass removal, soil compaction, tillage, and competing vegetation control in a highly-productive Douglas-fir plantation
The Fall River Long-term Soil Productivity Trial in western Washington State, USA was designed to study potential impacts on Douglas-fir tree growth of residual biomass removal on a productive soil in the Pacific Northwest region. The objective of this investigation was to examine the effects of residual biomass removal, soil compaction, tillage following compaction, and competing vegetation control on subsequent stand productivity through 10 growing seasons. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112713003307
Current Jet Fuel Prices (updated weekly)
How much does jet fuel currently cost? How has that changed since a year ago? Find out with IATA’s up-to-date fuel price monitor. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/economics/fuel_monitor/Pages/index.aspx
Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable Energy Future
This article looks at past energy technologies and suggests which technologies may be important in the future in terms of carbon footprint. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v488/n7411/full/nature11475.html#/f3
Botany: Nature’s Shut-Off Switch For Cellulose Production Found
Purdue University researchers found a mechanism that naturally shuts down cellulose production in plants, and learning how to keep that switch turned on may be key to enhancing biomass production for plant-based biofuels. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217190427.htm