Winter Camelina as a Cover Crop: A Geo-Spatial Optimization
Abstract
Using a flexible geo-spatial optimization framework, we evaluate the environmental impacts of growing winter camelina as a cover crop in conventional row crop production systems. Our framework combines biophysical outputs from the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model with an economic programming approach to assess land uses. While we have shown that cover crops can make a significant impact on water quality when spatially optimized, we have not yet accounted for scenarios in which cover crops have a market value. In this work, we evaluate both environmental and economic outcomes for camelina. Camelina, an oilseed biofuel crop, can be sold off-farm in the bio-diesel market, or potentially used to support on-farm fuel needs. Camelina can also have environmental benefits such as reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, and potential carbon sequestration. We evaluate a suite of mechanisms designed to maximize the environmental benefits of growing Camelina as a cover crop and discuss policy implications of these results.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMGC31J1349L
- Keywords:
-
- 0402 Agricultural systems;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 0414 Biogeochemical cycles;
- processes;
- and modeling;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 1630 Impacts of global change;
- GLOBAL CHANGE;
- 1803 Anthropogenic effects;
- HYDROLOGY