Some bioenergy crops are greener than others

In the Upper Midwest, switchgrass trumps maize at boosting ecological health

 

GREEN GRASS  Growing switchgrass (left) for biofuels produces more biodiversity and ecological benefits than growing maize (right) does.

University of Georgia, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org

Compared with rows of maize, tufts of switchgrass grown for biofuel have hidden perks, a new study finds.