GLBRC MARGINAL LAND EXPERIMENT

In 2013, GLBRC Marginal Land experimental sites were established in Wisconsin and Michigan to evaluate the potential for using lower productivity fields for low input bioenergy feedstocks.  There are six sites; Wisconsin and Michigan each have a site in the south, central and northern parts of the state (see map below with locations on state maps). All six cellulosic biomass crops, treatments G5-G10, and a no change control (G11) are replicated in 4 blocks. The plots are approximately 64 feet x 40 feet except for G8 (poplar) which is 64 feet x 64 feet.  The treatments include G5-switchgrass (Panicum virgatum variety Cave-in-rock), G6- giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), G7- a 5-species native grass mix, G8- hybrid poplar trees (“NM-6”, Populus nigra x populous maximowiczii), G9- an early successional community, and G10- native prairie. Click <a href=”http://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/protocols/144″ title=”here”>here</a> for species names of the mixed grass treatment (G7) and the native prairie treatment (G10).