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Research Reviews

• Fast-Growing Poplars Provide Solutions for Both Energy and Pollution Problems
  Winter 2013

Ronald S. Zalesny, Jr.

Team Leader, Research Plant Geneticist
Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies: Theory and Application of Scaling Science in Forestry
5985 Highway K
Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501-9128
Phone: 715-362-1132

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Current Research

I study genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating biomass production of short rotation woody crops (e.g., poplars and willows) grown for phytotechnologies, bioenergy, and fiber.

The provision of ecosystem services associated with these end uses is tightly linked with increasing human population levels at regional, national, and global scales, resulting in the need for such services along the urban to rural continuum that balance community well-being with ecological health and stability. To address this need, I am advancing short rotation woody crop production systems for pollution remediation and renewable energy.

I am developing phytoremediation and other phytotechnologies for ecosystem recovery, remediation, and restoration along the urban to rural continuum

* Phyto-Recurrent Selection: A Method for Selecting Genotypes for Phytotechnologies

* Phytoremediation of Inorganic Contaminants

* Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants

* Salt Tolerance and Salinity Thresholds of Woody Energy Crops

* Biochar: A Sustainable Soil Amendment

* Reclaiming and Restoring Lands Degraded from Mining

* Freshkills: Landfill to Park Conversion

I am refining silvicultural methods to provide ecosystem services such as optimal biomass productivity of hybrid poplar and willow across variable site and climate conditions 

* Carbon Implications of Poplar Energy Crops Throughout the Energy Supply Chain

* Predicting and Mapping Biomass of Poplar Energy Crops

* Biofuels, Bioenergy, and Bioproducts from Short Rotation Woody Crops

* Optimizing Species Selection and Economic Performance of Woody Crops in the Southeastern, USA

* Economics of Poplar Production in Minnesota, USA

* Siting Poplar Biomass Systems to Increase Productivity and Ecosystem Services

* Water Use Efficiency of Poplars

* Technical Innovations to Enhance Energy Crop Production

* Adventitious Rooting and Early Establishment of Poplar Energy Crops

* Breeding and Selecting Poplar for Biofuels, Bioenergy, and Bioproducts

* Comprehensive Database of North American Poplar Research Published from 1989 to 2011

In addition to short rotation woody crops, I also study the impacts of changing climates on patterns of tree adaptation in northern coniferous forest ecosystems.

There is a need for long-term conifer management strategies that optimize ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and feedstock production potential of plantations and natural forests. The success of such systems depends upon understanding the linkages among energy, climate, and tree genetics, which are vital for promoting biologically and economically sustainable reforestation, afforestation, and gene conservation.

I am evaluating the resiliency and adaptation potential of northern forest conifers to changing climates, specifically as they relate to growth and yield

* Effects of Climate Change on the Productivity and Ecological Genetics of White Pine

Why This Research is Important

Understanding the underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating growth and development of short rotation woody crops supports effective deployment of favorable genotypes that helps: 1) reduce impacts from invasive species, 2) provide energy sources that do not contribute to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and global climate change, and 3) improve ecosystems along the urban to rural continuum through recovery, remediation, and restoration. Overall, the knowledge gained from my research helps growers and researchers increase the success of sustainable woody crop production systems, while providing essential ecosystem services such as clean water and healthy soils.

Last updated on : 06-Oct-2016

For further details log on website :
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/people/Zalesny