Barry Goldfarb

The goal for this partnership is to plant, develop and document the information and tools needed to demonstrate the sustainable production of biomass for bioenergy across the Southern US. Specifically, this program will develop and demonstrate sustainable, flexible, integrated biomass production solutions that create innovative deployment scenarios to reliably produce and supply biomass feedstocks that are optimized for performance in leading conversion technologies. Research and development activities will target specific barriers in each step of the supply chain that are identified as critical to regional economic and/or environmental sustainability. Education, extension and outreach activities will be integrated so that the results of this work will reach target audiences with appropriate real-world examples.

This project builds upon and expands the Forest Service������������������s Partnership Outreach and Capacity Building, and the Multicultural Workforce Strategic Initiative Programs, and is an initiative that represents an opportunity for substantial collaboration between Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI), the 1862 land grant institutions, the Puerto Rico Commonwealth environmental and educational agencies, and the public served by the consortium/partnership. The Forest Service has utilized similar projects to implement its������������������ Mission, build capacity at the academic institutions, and to increase its engagement with underserved communities (i.e. American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, African American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, and low income and socially disadvantaged groups).

Our primary approach to facilitate partnerships and engagement between NCSU FER faculty and CIFSS scientists will be to invest in students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. For example, students will work with Wear and Vose (in collaboration with NCSU FER faculty) to perform literature searches; collect, input, and conduct data analyses; and assist in preparation of graphs, manuscripts, and research syntheses related to the research emphasis areas noted above, and/or other high priority research projects that arise. Where appropriate, students will have the opportunity to develop independent research projects to meet the requirements for independent study, theses and dissertations, and attend regional or national meetings. Two initial projects will be undertaken: (1) Interactions Among Climate, Land Use, and Demand. Questions to be addressed include: What do recent climate patterns imply for urban/suburban, agriculture, and forestry-based economies and how does this differ among the mountains, Piedmont, and coastal plain sub-regions?; What is the relationship between land use, climate variability, and water resources?; How does this vary among regions?; How will anticipated changes in climate variability, human populations, and land uses influence water resources across NC?; and How can we manage urban, agricultural, and forest lands to reduce vulnerability to climate change, ensure abundant supplies of clean water, and thus enhance local, regional, and state economies? (2) Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Questions to be addressed include: How will the loss of hemlock impact the health of southern Appalachian forests today and in the future, and What can land managers do to minimize impacts and restore forest health in areas impacted by HWA?

To recruit a more diverse workforce into the USFS and other land management and science organizations, it is necessary to increase the pipeline of trained graduate students from under-represented minorities. We propose that this is best done by expanding the current student participation in the on-going capacity building efforts sponsored by USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station, which focuses on broadening the participation between the University of Puerto Rico campuses, NC State University, and the USDA Forest Service, through developing collaborative graduate research opportunities in North Carolina and Puerto Rico.

The objective of this project is to support the development of a Climate Change Monitoring assessment for the Southeast US and a web-based portal for scientists and the public to access this information. This is a public service project that utilizes the results of other research and monitoring programs and serves as portal to information provided by these other programs.

The anticipated negative impacts of climate change have prompted the search for alternatives to fossil fuels. Utilizing various cellulosic biomass/feedstocks (including miscanthus) for biofuel production has emerged as a promising approach. However, there is a need to investigate the sustainability of these crops grown as a single- or dual-crop system. This study will keep investigating different land management approaches and harvesting options for the production of miscanthus for biofuels and crop trees (loblolly pine) for traditional wood products. The impacts of this non-traditional land management approach on site productivity and sustainability will be evaluated for years 3 and 4 after establishment.

In the near future, the biomass feedstock supply for the U.S. Southeast will depend heavily on purpose-grown tree plantations. High-yield, varietal loblolly pine forestry is well suited for development as a regional feedstock production system. Varieties, or clones, can be selected for specific canopy phenotypes (ideotypes) for the narrower range of site conditions that short-rotation plantations will provide. Thus, plantation management and phenotype can be tailored to maximize biomass production and soil C sequestration while minimizing resource input and losses and negative environmental consequences. However, to develop sustainable feedstock production systems requires an ecophysiological understanding of how intensive silviculture (e.g. site preparation, fertilization, weed control) affects biomass production, carbon and nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration according to the distinct genotypes. The US Forest Service led Cross Carbon Study, located near Cross SC, is a project that directly addresses the SRS-4160 Forest Genetics and Ecosystem Productivity Work plan Program Area 3 - Carbon and Nutrient Cycling. We will quantify seasonal leaf area dynamics for two fast growing loblolly pine clones that differ in canopy structures and aboveground growth efficiency and determine how this difference in efficiency can be explained by the leaf area dynamics of each material according to resource availability. This data will provide direct inputs into a physiologically based productivity model being parameterized by SRS personnel for the Cross Carbon Study. The proposed Supplement will allow work to continue and provide a better understanding of the patterns of growth and leaf area development in loblolly pine.

To recruit a more diverse workforce into the USFS and other land management and science organizations, it is necessary to increase the pipeline of trained graduate students from under-represented minorities. We propose that this is best done by expanding the current student participation in the on-going capacity building efforts sponsored by USDA Forest Service's Southern Research Station, which focuses on broadening the participation between the University of Puerto Rico campuses, NC State University, and the USDA Forest Service, through developing collaborative graduate research opportunities in North Carolina and Puerto Rico.

This proposed work is part of a larger project by Purdue University to US AID to improve the university educational system in Agricultural Universities in Afghanistan. NC State will take the lead in the area of Forestry and Natural Resources. We will: (1) make NCSU faculty visits to Afghani universities to meet with them, review their curricula and provide guidance on improving their curricula and instructional methods. (2) provide graduate education for two Afghani faculty members leading to masters degrees in forestry and natural resources. (3) host a senior Afghani faculty member in the U.S. for four months. Through these activities the educational capacities of the target universities will be improved, leading to a more sustainable educational system.

The overarching objective of this proposal is to address the climate change science needs of "early adopters" of the new 2012 Planning Rule for national forests in Region 8 (R8). This includes strengthening technology transfer offerings for priority and underserved areas, developing methods for applying offerings, and aiding with materials that support public outreach and engagement. This proposal seeks to harness existing technology and workforce diversity initiatives in a fashion that advances multiple agency strategic priorities while satisfying immediate needs. The 2012 Planning Rule process, especially the assessment phase, provides an ideal opportunity to consider climate change science within a broader assessment of vulnerability, leading to development of integrated adaptation approaches and monitoring programs. The Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options (TACCIMO) is a web-based technology designed specifically to support this need. However, despite the availability of this supporting technology, the underlying content available for El Yunque National Forest (EYNF) in Puerto Rico, the first early adopter in R8, is deficient in certain key areas. To address this deficiency, while strategically developing methods applicable to future needs, there is an opportunity to align with an ongoing capacity building effort focused on the development of a multicultural workforce and connections to underserved communities.