All Feedstocks, Biorenewables Included, Have to be Sourced From Somewhere

This blog is intended for anyone who’s interested about biorenewable resources and how it relates to plants and forests while also wanting to be more environmentally conscious.


Biorenewable resources or biomass, are organic and recently living materials such as crops, forestry residues, and waste. They can be quickly replenished to produce chemicals, energy and fuel. They help provide a sustainable and eco-friendly environment and provide an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Plants are similar to solar panels in a way where they convert energy from the sun and convert it into carbohydrates which are used to make plant cells. Biomass growth is powered by solar energy and the production of bioproducts requires much less energy than making mineral based products. 


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The ability of plants to convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis makes them a source of biorenewable feedstocks. This process synthesizes a range of organic compounds which is the basis for many bio based products. Most of global agriculture is dedicated to food production and there's more recognition of plants being used as feedstocks for energy generation. For example, corn is more than just a BBQ staple. It’s a primary source for biofuel and the foundation for many bioplastics. But we can’t turn every field into a fuel factory without biodiversity and food prices being a concern. A solution to this could be valorizing residues. The leaves and stalks being thrown away could be used as a resource so we can eat and have fuel without needing additional land. 


We learned that short rotation coppicing, natural forests, and plantation forests are three main factors in our woody biorenewable resources system. The difference between them is how intensely they are managed. Woody biomass is a renewable source that comes from trees, logging residues, and limbs. They are used for electricity, heat, and biofuel. It is a lower carbon alternative to fossil fuels and improves forest health by reducing the chance of a wildfire. If woody biomass is managed correctly, it could be a circular economy. We can think of it like a bank account where as long as we don’t withdraw (harvest) more than the interest (growth), the balance will continuously increase. In 2020, timber growth exceeded harvests by 36% in the United States.


As of today, the United States has around 766 million acres of forestland, and approximately 514 million acres are classified as timberland. There has been a slight increase in forest cover from 1990 and 2020 but forests are still facing threats from severe wildfires, increased fragmentation, and species migration due to climate change. Forest growth rates are higher than harvest rates which is great because it shows sustainable management but increasing carbon emissions from wildfires pose challenges long term. Wildfires are growing larger and becoming more destructive due to increasing temperatures and drier conditions. According to NASA, emissions from forest fires have increased by 60% globally between 2001 and 2023. From a national perspective, the forest areas in the U.S. are stable but from a regional perspective, certain parts of the U.S. are undergoing a decline in forest area and are experiencing forest health issues. Both sides are important for accurate evaluations about forest trends.




The difficult part looking ahead is about growing smarter where we have to balance our economic pull of biorenewable resources while prioritizing healthy biosystems. By reusing and repurposing agricultural waste while managing our forests, we will be headed towards a cleaner future. 






Works Cited:


Lesson 07: Plant Growth, BBE 1002, UMN


Lesson 08: Woody Biomass Production, BBE 1002, UMN


Directory, Sustainability. “Biorenewable Resources → Term.” Pollution → Sustainability Directory, https://pollution.sustainability-directory.com/term/biorenewable-resources/.


US EPA, ORD. Biofuels and the Environment. Reports and Assessments. 14 Jan. 2021, https://www.epa.gov/risk/biofuels-and-environment.


“Cornstalks Aren’t Just for Scarecrows Anymore.” Energy.Gov, https://www.energy.gov/cmei/articles/cornstalks-arent-just-scarecrows-anymore.


“Protect What Matters.” Forest Trends, 5 Aug. 2025, https://www.forest-trends.org/wildfire-resilience/.


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