Spatial distribution of an invasive plant Spartina alterniflora and its potential as biofuels in China

• Published in: Ecological engineering Vol. 52; pp. 175 - 181
• Main Authors: Lu, Jianbo, Zhang, Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biomass energy; Biotechnology; Carbon stock; CBERS; China; Coal; Coastal ecosystem management; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecology; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Invasive plant; Natural energy; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Plants (organisms); Remote sensing; Renewable energy; Spartina alterniflora; Spatial distribution; South America; Brazil; Asia; China; America; ISEW, China, People's Rep., Zhejiang Prov; INW, China, People's Rep., Jiangsu Prov; INW, China, People's Rep., Shanghai; Carbon stock; Coastal ecosystem management; Spatial distribution; Biomass energy; CBERS; Invasive plant; Remote sensing; Monocotyledones; Biofuel; Biomass; Carbon; Environmental management; Coastal zone; Environmental engineering; Invasive species; Plant; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Bioenergy; Environmental monitoring; Spartina alterniflora; Stock; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0925-8574; 1872-6992
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.12.107

► Mapping an invasion plant, S. alterniflora, in coastal wetlands of China using remote sensing data. ► Estimating S. alterniflora's total annual biomass of China reaching 2.53Mt. ► Calculating S. alterniflora's total annual bioenergy of China producing 18 PJ. ► Using S. alterniflora as an potential bioenergy plant from negative to positive. ► S. alterniflora being quite significant ecological function for the carbon cycle and carbon sink in China's ocean ecosystem. Spartina alterniflora, an invasive plant, has caused enormous ecological consequences since it was introduced to China over 30 years ago. However, as a potential bioenergy plant, it has obvious advantages. Therefore, it is academically important to study its spatial distribution and bioenergy potentials. The present research, using the remote sensing data from China and Brazil earth resources satellite (CBERS), coupled with data from related literature, concludes that the total area covered by the herb in China reaches 34,178ha, mainly in eastern Jiangsu Province, Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province, accounting for 94.22% of the country's total. Its total annual biomass reaches 2.53Mt, producing 39 PJ bioenergy, equivalent to that of 1.33Mt of standard coal. The annual biomass of its above-ground parts is 1.12Mt, producing 18 PJ bioenergy, equivalent to that of 0.61Mt of standard coal. Besides, it also has strong carbon sequestration capabilities, its annual C stock amounting to 1.16Mt, or 4.25Mt of CO2. Therefore it is very significant for the carbon cycle of the ocean ecosystem.