Environmental Impact of Growing Herbaceous Perennials for Bioenergy.

A number of herbaceous perennial grasses have been evaluated for their bioenergy potential. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is one of the most extensively studied but others include big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) and others. The use of perennial species for biomass has environmental implications, including their effect on greenhouse gases, water quality, soil quality, wildlife, etc. There is debate as to whether perennial species will most likely be grown in monocultures stands or as polycultures, at least in part the result of environmental considerations.