News
Leopold Center Grant
Lori and Stan were awarded a 3-year grant from the Leopold Center:
Biochar and managed perennial ecosystems: Testing for synergy in ecosystem function and biodiversity
Project description: This project will provide useful knowledge for the future development of best‐use practices for the application of biochar to perennial systems for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Biochar is a major by-product of low-temperature pyrolosis from the thermal decomposition of wood or grasses to produce heat, electricity or biofuels. The goal is to determine the ecological impacts of biochar on the interaction among plants, soil organisms and their environment. The proposed research will provide information from field based initiatives to determine the effects of these soil amendments prior to widespread application.
http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/compgrants/E2011_new.html#2