Fall 2006 Kelseya Volume 20 No. 1 e i n Kelseya n o B : n Newsletter of the Montana Native Plant Society o i t a r t s www.umt.edu/mnps/ u l l I Natural Prairie Holds Key to Sustainable Fuels gas prices inch higher, produce concentrated energy in the make and apply. Experiments now the search is on for re- form of biofuels such as ethanol or under way in Germany and the Neth- As newable, plant-based synfuel gasoline and diesel. The erlands are noting similar effects of fuels that don't require fertilizer or greater the yield of biomass per acre diversity on yields, says Tilman, even pesticides, both of which require en- the better, and data from Cedar though they use totally different spe- ergy to produce. A solution may be at Creek show that diverse plantings fill cies. Also, because prairie plants are hand, from University of Minnesota the bill. perennial, they would not have to be ecologist David Tilman and two col- "Diverse prairie grasslands are 240 replanted year after year. Farmers leagues: Instead of growing a single percent more productive than grass- would need only mow their fields in fuel source crop, grow many species lands with a single prairie species," the fall. If burned, biomass could together because such plantations says Tilman, a Regents Professor of replace some of the coal that now will yield more total vegetation—and Ecology in the College of Biological pumps carbon dioxide and mercury do it more reliably—than any growing Sciences, which operates the Cedar into the atmosphere. just one species. Creek field station. "That means that "You can burn prairie grass using The most cited ecologist in the if a plot with one or two plant spe- the fluidized bed technology of exist- world, Tilman has long been singing cies produces 100 pounds of vegeta- ing coal-fired power plants, and can the praises of biodiversity, as the tion a year, a plot with 16 species mix it in with coal," says Tilman. coexistence of many species is [the most diverse plots planted at "The energy density of biomass is 60 called. In May, he and two colleagues (University forest resources professor Ecologist David Tilman says a diversity of plant species will likely Peter Reich and Johannes Knops of the University of Nebraska) published produce the most biomass for making sustainable fuels. a paper in the journal Nature in which they sum up 12 years of ex- Cedar Creek] will produce 340 to 70 percent that of coal. If power periments at the University's Cedar pounds. This huge advantage comes plants wanted to buy biomass and Creek Natural History Area. The long- when you plant numerous grasses and farmers wanted to grow it, it could est-running experiment of its kind, it legumes and various prairie flowers happen, but it will take much work shows unequivocally that plots of together." to get there." land with numerous species produce Findings from Cedar Creek suggest Now that the value of biodiversity much more "biomass" and suffer less that plantings of multiple species of has been shown, the next step should from fluctuations in productivity than prairie plants will produce fuels, such be an economic analysis, says Til- plots with only one or a few species. as ethanol, with greater net energy man. It remains to be seen whether This makes diverse plantings the like- gains per acre than corn, soybeans, biomass farmers, along with energy liest candidates to drive the "bio" or even switchgrass, which has been producers and the people who trans- revolution. touted as a promising source for bio- port biomass from one to the other, The paper is a call to everyone who mass. But the higher energy gains can each make money if they put the wants to extract energy from bio- aren't just from higher productivity; vision that he and his colleagues have mass to start thinking in terms of diverse plantings require little or no into practice. For optimal results, species diversity. Biomass can be ei- inputs of fertilizer or pesticides, both (Continued on page 8) ther burned for energy or refined to of which require lots of energy to Kelseya President’s Platform Susan Winslow Ah, another change in season. The rightly received the Outstanding Ser- ranking threats to species of con- brown-cured hues of late summer are vice Award, which was eloquently cern. Lastly, the music-inspired ca- making way for the promise of au- presented by Wayne Phillips. Thanks maraderie around the bonfire was tumn color. The annual meeting held to Pat for all his years of dedication, nicely supplemented with shooting in the Madison Valley was dry and diligence, and support to the Society. stars. warm with record attendance. In ad- The Board of Directors voted last Board of Directors Meeting dition to folks of all ages, the bugs March to increase dues, so a general The next meeting is scheduled for also were present in large numbers. I announcement was made to the October 28, at 10:00 a.m. in Helena. think most of the field trips in the membership (see below). A Valley of The meeting is open to all members. high country experienced fewer Flowers Chapter member, Leslie Ed- For those not able to attend, be sure pesky insects, along with dazzling dington, has tentatively volunteered and pass along any appropriate topics floral displays. The Clark Fork Chap- to take over the task of being our to your representative for discussion ter did a superb job with the entire new Webmaster. Read more about at the meeting. Chapters with poten- meeting, especially considering that Leslie in January after she’s had a tial projects that require funding some crucial members weren’t able chance to hone her htlm program- should have requests to me no later to attend due to sudden illness. In ming skills. The Society greatly ap- than October 14. addition to being short-staffed, spo- preciates all the time, effort, and In closing, one year ago in my first radic power outages played havoc dedication dispensed by the out- platform as president, I commented with the water source, and threat- going Webmaster, Marilyn Marler— on basic homeowner recommenda- ened to leave everyone hungry on thanks and good luck in your political tions for dealing with the ongoing Saturday night and Sunday morning! endeavors. A representative of each fire season in mostly grass-dominated Talk about stress piled on stress; chapter recapped activities, accom- rangelands. This is a much different they all deserve an award for pulling plishments, and future goals—what a year, with wildfires raging on pri- it off so successfully. busy bunch. Leslie Marty has re- vately held and national forest tim- Membership Meeting assumed the presidential role for the berlands. The Montana woods, and As expected, Pat Plantenberg’s Artemisia Chapter. The Kelsey Chap- some structures, are going up in parody on the election results pro- ter is hosting next year’s meeting at smoke. More than 2,000 wildfires vided comic relief and insightful Georgetown Lake. They already have have burned greater than 630,000 analysis. Congratulations to Dave a good handle on the situation, so acres, and we have a long way to go Hanna and Pat Plantenberg, the re- make plans to attend. The Landscape yet before the onset of normal fall elected Vice President and Secretary Committee reported that efforts are moisture patterns. Luckily, there respectively, and to Wayne Phillips underway to develop a web-based have been very few injuries, but if for assuming the duties of Eastern source guide. The Threatened Plants you’re out and about at work or play, Montana Director At-large! Speaking Steering Committee is scheduling a be safe. In spite of the fire condi- of Pat Plantenberg, he deserved and fall meeting to discuss assigning and tions, have a good fall. Susan can be reached at P.O. Box 502, Bridger, MT 59014 406-668-9112 e-mail: [email protected] new members! Your participation and support are 2007 Annual Meeting WELCOME important to us! Please contact your Scheduled The Montana Native Plant Society chapter representative with any extends a warm welcome to the fol- ideas or suggestions you may have. Mark your calendars now! The 2007 lowing new members: MNPS annual meeting is June 29-July 1, 2007, at Georgetown Lake. The Calypso Chapter: Char Davis; Clark MNPS Dues Increase Kelsey Chapter is busy with plans to Fork Chapter: Poody McLaughlin, Effective January 2007 there will be make this event one not to be Mamie Smith, Richard Wren; Flat- a slight increase in MNPS dues. An missed. We have a camp rented right head Chapter: Geri Cochrane, Mich- individual with chapter affiliation on the lake and the event promises ele Disney, Susie Heger, Robben will be $20 and without affiliation to be loads of fun. There are lots of Leingang, John & Laurel Swetnam; will be $15. Other categories were great hiking opportunities and sev- Valley of Flowers: Lynn Burton, Tom raised proportionately. The board eral Forest Service Research Natural Forwood, Heather’s Garden Service, was reluctant to raise the cost of Areas are close by. Wildflowers Charles Repath; Eastern Montana: membership, but noted that costs should be abundant! Plan ahead and Susan Stout; Western Montana: Bob have increased and dues have been we’ll see you then. Wilson, Terry Hightower. unchanged for a number of years. 2 Kelseya Fall 2006 Release of 2006 IUCN alone—it must become the responsi- ● Most threatened birds, mammals bility of everyone with the power and and amphibians are located on the Red List reveals ongo- resources to act," he added.