Impact of carbon value on the profitability of slash pine plantations in the southern United States: an integrated life cycle and Faustmann analysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 990-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puneet Dwivedi ◽  
Janaki R.R. Alavalapati ◽  
Andres Susaeta ◽  
Andrew Stainback

The emergence of voluntary carbon markets provides an additional income opportunity to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners because of the carbon sequestered in forest biomass. This study integrates life cycle analysis and the modified Faustmann model to assess the impact of carbon payments on the optimum rotation age and profitability of 1 ha of privately owned but intensely managed slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation in the southern United States. Guidelines of the Chicago Climate Exchange were followed for carbon payments. When carbon payments were included, land expectation values (LEVs) were found to be about $1384·ha–1 and $1063·ha–1 for the with and without thinning scenarios, respectively. When payment for carbon sequestered in the live forest biomass was included, LEVs increased to about $2807·ha–1 and $2765·ha–1 for the aforementioned scenarios, respectively. No significant change in the optimum rotation age was observed in the presence of carbon payments. Results suggest that voluntary carbon markets could play a key role in improving the financial returns to NIPF landowners.

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler S. Nesbit ◽  
Janaki R.R. Alavalapati ◽  
Puneet Dwivedi ◽  
Marian V. Marinescu

Abstract A growing interest in cellulosic biofuels, coupled with the economic challenges faced by nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners of the Southern United States, presents a unique opportunity to useforest biomass as a feedstock for developing bioenergy markets. This study uses a cost-benefit analysis framework to calculate the profitability for three simulated NIPF slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations under multiple feedstock production levels. Also, the unit cost of cellulosic ethanol production considering both the two-stage dilute sulfuric acid (2SDSA) and proposed synthesis gas ethanol catalytic conversion (SGECC) processes is calculated through a discounted cash flow methodology. The results show that the bioenergy market opportunity increases land values by $28.56–37.50/ac. The calculated unit cost of production is found to be $2.39/gallon under the 2SDSA process and $1.16/gallon for the SGECC process. The overall analysis indicates that ethanol production from Southern slash pine plantations offers a promising option for biofuel production, but that further advancements are necessary in the ethanol conversion phase.


1962 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 1005-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Merkel

The larvae of Dioryctria abietella (D. & S.) are among the most destructive pests of the cones of slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and longleaf pine, Pinus palustris Mill., in the Southern United States. Larval instar data have been particularly useful in laboratory insecticide screening tests where it is essential to use larvae of the same age. The following is a brief account of a test to determine the number of larval instars of D. abietella in Florida.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J Messick ◽  
Christopher E Comer ◽  
Michael A Blazier ◽  
T Bently Wigley

Abstract In the southern United States, some landowners have established plantations of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) and are managing them on short rotations (<15 years) to provide wood for fiber and other potential uses. Establishment of short-rotation woody crops dominated by nonnative species has implications for resident fauna in the United States that are largely unknown. We compared avifauna abundance, diversity, and community composition in newly established Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii) plantations with slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations of the same age and height (one to two and six to seven years old, respectively) in southwestern Louisiana, USA. Species richness, diversity, and community composition in newly established eucalyptus plantations and six- to seven-year-old pines were similar. More birds were observed, and bird detections varied less in eucalyptus plantations. Indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) and other shrub-associated species were detected more often in eucalyptus stands. In contrast, species that inhabit herbaceous-dominated communities, such as eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), or that were associated with a dense graminoid community (e.g., Bachman’s sparrow [Peucaea aestivalis]) were detected less often in eucalyptus. Overall, breeding bird communities in eucalyptus plantations one to two years postestablishment differed little from plantations dominated by slash pine. Study Implications Compared with slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem) plantations of similar age and height (one to two years and six to seven years old, respectively) we found one- to two-year-old eucalyptus (Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage) plantations supported similar avian species richness and diversity to six- to seven-year-old pine stands. Furthermore, we found these eucalyptus plantations (E13) supported an avian community that was intermediate to similar aged pine (S13) and pine of similar height (S08). However, avian communities will likely change as eucalyptus plantations age (Christian et al. 1997). Continued monitoring and assessment of community composition, richness, and abundance is important for determining the magnitude of this change. Future investigations focused on nest success, fecundity, postfledging monitoring, and survivorship compared with other types of planted forests and native cover types would help us better understand eucalyptus plantation effects on avifauna demographics (Van Horne 1983, Martin 1998, Jones 2001, Wood et al. 2004, Sage et al. 2006, Riffell et al. 2011).


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4290 (3) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
MARIO G. IBARRA-POLESEL ◽  
NESTOR G. VALLE ◽  
JHON C. NEITA-MORENO ◽  
MIRYAM P. DAMBORSKY

Phileurus valgus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) is a common species widely distributed from the southern United States to Argentina and the West Indies. In this work the immature stages are described and illustrated based on specimens from Argentina. A key to the known third-stage larvae of New World Phileurini species is provided and updated. Notes on the life cycle and natural history are also included. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Edward J. Sikora

Abstract This chapter focuses on the economic importance, host range, geographical distribution, symptoms of damage and biology and life cycle of root-knot and reniform nematodes (Meloidogyne spp. and Rotylenchulus reniformis) infesting soyabeans in southern USA. Some information on the efficacy and optimization of some recommended integrated nematode management practices and future outlook and research requirements are also presented.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea De Stefano ◽  
Michael A Blazier ◽  
Christopher E Comer ◽  
Thomas J Dean ◽  
T Bently Wigley

Abstract In the Western Gulf region of the United States cold-tolerant eucalyptus have been explored as pulpwood feedstock. However, non-native plantations may alter understory species diversity, modifying environmental conditions and soil characteristics. Few studies have compared eucalyptus plantations with native ecosystems to understand the impact on understory vegetation in the United States. In this study, we compared understory plant species richness and diversity during 2014–2016 in (1) slash pine (Pinus elliottii) established in 2008, (2) slash pine established in 2013, and (3) and Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii) established in 2013. Overstory characteristics, soil pH, and soil nutrient concentrations were measured to understand factors that affected understory species richness and diversity. Results indicated a decline in understory species richness over time, with Camden white gum in an intermediate condition between same-age slash pine (highest richness) and older slash pine (lowest richness). Leaf area index, soil pH and K, and tree height were the most important factors influencing understory species richness and diversity. The adoption of fast-growing eucalyptus on these sites will probably accelerate the deterioration of natural habitats and reduce open-condition species in favor of shade-tolerant species, overturning the conservation efforts already put in place by governmental agencies and conservation groups.


GCB Bioenergy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 728-741
Author(s):  
Ryan J. Quinn ◽  
HakSoo Ha ◽  
Timothy A. Volk ◽  
Tristan R. Brown ◽  
Steven Bick ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L. Staudhammer ◽  
Eric J. Jokela ◽  
Timothy A. Martin

Few studies within the native range of loblolly ( Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) have compared yield and stand dynamics in pure-family block versus mixed-family block plantings under a range of silvicultural treatments. Understanding intergenotypic competitive interactions is important for predicting phenotypic performance, defining growth strategies and ideotypes, and deploying the correct mix of families that possess complementary characteristics for enhanced yield and pest resistance. In 2000, replicated experimental trials were installed in the southeastern United States, controlling for genotype (pure- and mixed-family plantings; consisting of seven full-sibling loblolly and six full-sibling slash pine families), planting density (1334 vs. 2990 trees/ha), and levels of silvicultural treatment intensity (operational vs. intensive). We measured four installations of these trials. There were numerous examples of differential family performance in mixed versus pure plots manifested as significant deployment × family interactions for diameter at breast height, height, basal area, volume, survival, disease, and damage traits. Significant and consistent interactions of several families with mixed versus pure deployment led to the identification of putative crop and competition ideotypes in both loblolly and slash pine. Tree-level crown architectural traits and an index of growth efficiency for the identified families were consistent with the hypothesized ideotypes.


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