A Study to Determine if the Biofuel Crop Camelina is a Wildlife Attractant (Phase I and partial Phase II)

2019PDFTech ReportChinn, Mari SGodfrey III, Edward EWhitfield, Matthew BMoore, AndrewSeamans, Thomas WLundy, Coady WNorth Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural EngineeringNorth Carolina. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Development UnitUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationNorth Carolina. Dept. of TransportationUnited StatesAirportsBiomass fuelsBirdsCostsCropsFeasibility analysisLand usePlantsWildlifeAirport PlanningAgricultural ProductsFarmingMammalsFHWA/NC/2018-06NCDOT Project 2018-06Final Report August 15, 2014 to July 31, 2017Airport managers have significant annual operating costs tied to maintaining airport green space that can often exceed hundreds of acres and often face challenges with high fuels costs to operate ground vehicles. This project was initiated to explore modifying the land use around airports to support the production of oilseeds and other biomass crops that could be used either as a fuel resource or generate revenue for airport operations. One crop of particular interest was camelina. Camelina is a flowering oilseed that in its native growth regions requires relatively few crop inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.). It is unique in that its oil can be used to support the production of either biodiesel for ground vehicles or used in a process to make a renewable aviation fuel. The overall goal of the project was to assess the feasibility of growing camelina on marginal, underutilized spaces in the southeast and scientifically monitor and document animal attractiveness to the crop. Specific objectives of the project to establish effective production methods, quantify costs in adopting camelina, identify key land selection criteria, and survey wildlife were completed in two phases, Phase I and Phase II. Our crop production efforts showed promise in identifying land characteristics needed for a good crop stand of camelina. The project has exposed some of the environmental sensitivities of camelina in our warmer, humid southeastern climate. Key challenges for camelina production are weed competition, susceptibility to fungal pathogens and excessive moisture. These experiences informed our cultural management decisions and research related efforts to improve production practices and identify most promising site selection conditions at select NC airports. Wildlife surveys did show increases in birds and mammals with the introduction of camelina production practices relative to control turf plots. Overall, useful data were generated and will be available if and when a time arises for camelina to be a part of future conversations.104