Investigating the Viability of Agave americana as a Potential Bioenergy Feedstock and its Relative Impact on Surrounding Wildlife
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Agave species have the possibility for energy efficiency and high net productivity, largely due to the advantages of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM).High water use efficiency (WUE) is a primary advantage of CAM that may reduce economic and environmental costs of water intensive practices common in arid agriculture.However, little is known about the effect of Agave cultivation on native wildlife.This study aimed to ( a) assess the productivity and WUE of native Agave americana as a bioenergy feedstock, and to (b) investigate the impact of Agave crops on native wildlife species relative to the impact of a conventional crop (cotton) in Maricopa, AZ.Potential productivity of A. americana subjected to four irrigation treatments for three years was estimated.Pitfall arrays were used to sample wildlife biodiversity in the Agave field, a site with native vegetation, and a site with conventional agriculture from June to August of 2014.Estimated annual yields of Agave plants that have not yet reached full maturity ranged from 1.59 -3.45 Mg ha -1 ; WUE ranged from 2.33 -8.65 kg ha -1 mm -1 .The greatest species diversity and amphibian abundance was observed in the cotton site, while greater species richness and mammalian abundance was observed in the Agave site.These findings indicate A. americana may produce commercially viable yields, as well as support local wildlife communities, when managed appropriately in arid regions.
Author: Emily R. Kuzmick
Institution: Ohio University
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2615700087