Biomass Survey - Questions for Researchers

We are a group of graduate students surveying biomass production and utilization and its economic, social and environmental impacts on society. Sustainability is a key to withstand extreme environmental conditions and control everlasting climate change in today's world. We have created this survey solely based on your interests and expertise. We believe your contribution to this survey will be of great help in understanding the current status of biomass production and its economic and environmental impacts.

Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Macdonald Campus:
Mohammed Antar - Ph.D. Student
Dongmei Lyu - Ph.D. Student
Mahtab Nazari - Ph.D. Student
Ateeq Shah - MSc Student

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* 1. Your affiliation

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* 2. Your location

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* 3. What is your area of interest related to biomass utilization?

Biomass production

Bioheat/biopower utilization

Transportation biofuel

High-value bioproducts

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Canada is one of the most resource-based countries globally but is still far behind in biomass and biofuel production as an underpinning to the overall bioeconomy. Please rank the following in terms of importance for addressing this shortfall, from 1 to 5, where 1 is the most important and 5 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4	5
Insufficient government encouragement through legislation	Insufficient government encouragement through legislation 1	Insufficient government encouragement through legislation 2	Insufficient government encouragement through legislation 3	Insufficient government encouragement through legislation 4	Insufficient government encouragement through legislation 5
Excessive regulation	Excessive regulation 1	Excessive regulation 2	Excessive regulation 3	Excessive regulation 4	Excessive regulation 5
Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings	Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings 1	Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings 2	Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings 3	Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings 4	Insufficient government encouragement through subsidies and other financings 5
Insufficient research and development	Insufficient research and development 1	Insufficient research and development 2	Insufficient research and development 3	Insufficient research and development 4	Insufficient research and development 5
Poor public perception	Poor public perception 1	Poor public perception 2	Poor public perception 3	Poor public perception 4	Poor public perception 5

Other (please specify)

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* 5. The followings are actions that consumers/producers/farmers/stakeholders could take to enhance biomass production and utilization. Please rank these actions in terms of importance for enhancing biomass production and utilization, from 1 to 4, where 1 is the most important and 4 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4
Inform their sector as much as possible, including organizing meetings, etc.	Inform their sector as much as possible, including organizing meetings, etc. 1	Inform their sector as much as possible, including organizing meetings, etc. 2	Inform their sector as much as possible, including organizing meetings, etc. 3	Inform their sector as much as possible, including organizing meetings, etc. 4
Encourage politicians to consider and support the development of this sector	Encourage politicians to consider and support the development of this sector 1	Encourage politicians to consider and support the development of this sector 2	Encourage politicians to consider and support the development of this sector 3	Encourage politicians to consider and support the development of this sector 4
Promote utilization of biobased energy and other bio-materials	Promote utilization of biobased energy and other bio-materials 1	Promote utilization of biobased energy and other bio-materials 2	Promote utilization of biobased energy and other bio-materials 3	Promote utilization of biobased energy and other bio-materials 4
Encourage related research	Encourage related research 1	Encourage related research 2	Encourage related research 3	Encourage related research 4

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Would you be willing to attend a training course, workshops or study-tours regarding biomass and biofuel production? If yes, which aspects you like to consider? If no, what is your concern?

Yes (Please explain)

No (Please explain)

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* 7. Increased land utilization and biomass production require increased agricultural inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which might affect the environment through increases in GHG emissions and toxic depositions. Please rank the following techniques in terms of importance to sustainability, from 1 to 3, where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Adopting management techniques such as crop rotation, no-tillage system, etc	Adopting management techniques such as crop rotation, no-tillage system, etc 1	Adopting management techniques such as crop rotation, no-tillage system, etc 2	Adopting management techniques such as crop rotation, no-tillage system, etc 3
Encouraging the use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, such as biological inputs	Encouraging the use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, such as biological inputs 1	Encouraging the use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, such as biological inputs 2	Encouraging the use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, such as biological inputs 3
Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands 1	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands 2	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands 3

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Do you think using renewable energy can implement sustainable agriculture practices leading to diminished agriculture-associated effects caused by climate change?

Yes (Please explain)

No (Please explain)

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* 9. Transferring new sustainable techniques from laboratories to the field has always been a challenge. Please rank the following in terms of importance, from 1 to 3, for addressing this impediment where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Produce regular publications around new and developing technologies	Produce regular publications around new and developing technologies 1	Produce regular publications around new and developing technologies 2	Produce regular publications around new and developing technologies 3
Establish a subsidy program to encourage farmers regarding the application of new techniques	Establish a subsidy program to encourage farmers regarding the application of new techniques 1	Establish a subsidy program to encourage farmers regarding the application of new techniques 2	Establish a subsidy program to encourage farmers regarding the application of new techniques 3
Hold regular webinars and meetings with producers and keep them updated	Hold regular webinars and meetings with producers and keep them updated 1	Hold regular webinars and meetings with producers and keep them updated 2	Hold regular webinars and meetings with producers and keep them updated 3

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Can the available technologies associated with bioenergy play a meaningful role in reducing atmospheric CO2?

Yes, effective use of carbon capture and storage technologies could be a potential source of net negative carbon emission

No, current technologies could not meaningfully reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Comments

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* 11. The employment of food crops in biofuel production may affect the global food supply. Below is a set of measures that could allow government supports to shift the situation from "food vs fuel" to "food AND fuel". Please rank the following from 1 to 4, where 1 is the most important and 4 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4
Encourage use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, and in the case of food crops, enhance the production of residue biomass	Encourage use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, and in the case of food crops, enhance the production of residue biomass 1	Encourage use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, and in the case of food crops, enhance the production of residue biomass 2	Encourage use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, and in the case of food crops, enhance the production of residue biomass 3	Encourage use of sustainable inputs that enhance crop growth, and in the case of food crops, enhance the production of residue biomass 4
Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands not used for food crop production	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands not used for food crop production 1	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands not used for food crop production 2	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands not used for food crop production 3	Encourage biomass crop production on marginal lands not used for food crop production 4
Provide subsidies for the use of lingo-cellulosic biomass in the bioeconomy	Provide subsidies for the use of lingo-cellulosic biomass in the bioeconomy 1	Provide subsidies for the use of lingo-cellulosic biomass in the bioeconomy 2	Provide subsidies for the use of lingo-cellulosic biomass in the bioeconomy 3	Provide subsidies for the use of lingo-cellulosic biomass in the bioeconomy 4
Remove supports for the use of food material in biofuel production	Remove supports for the use of food material in biofuel production 1	Remove supports for the use of food material in biofuel production 2	Remove supports for the use of food material in biofuel production 3	Remove supports for the use of food material in biofuel production 4

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Below is a list of methods by which installing small-scale energy capacity within the agricultural business landscape can help combat climate change and improve business viability. Please rank these from 1 to 3, where 1 is most important and 3 is least important.

	1	2	3
Reduction of fuel used for transport of biomass to help decrease carbon dioxide emissions	Reduction of fuel used for transport of biomass to help decrease carbon dioxide emissions 1	Reduction of fuel used for transport of biomass to help decrease carbon dioxide emissions 2	Reduction of fuel used for transport of biomass to help decrease carbon dioxide emissions 3
Reduce expenses related to transportation.	Reduce expenses related to transportation. 1	Reduce expenses related to transportation. 2	Reduce expenses related to transportation. 3
Encourage farmers to use produced biofuel for farm machinery	Encourage farmers to use produced biofuel for farm machinery 1	Encourage farmers to use produced biofuel for farm machinery 2	Encourage farmers to use produced biofuel for farm machinery 3

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Below is a list of current research challenges regarding biomass production as feedstock. Please rank these from 1 to 3, where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Insufficient government encouragement	Insufficient government encouragement 1	Insufficient government encouragement 2	Insufficient government encouragement 3
Lack of mechanisms to link the relevant applied research community to the potential technology users	Lack of mechanisms to link the relevant applied research community to the potential technology users 1	Lack of mechanisms to link the relevant applied research community to the potential technology users 2	Lack of mechanisms to link the relevant applied research community to the potential technology users 3
Insufficient support from industries for commercialization programs	Insufficient support from industries for commercialization programs 1	Insufficient support from industries for commercialization programs 2	Insufficient support from industries for commercialization programs 3

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Which of the following feedstocks do you think is the best option for renewable energy generation considering the economy, environment and global food security? Please explain.

Agricultural biomass

Forest biomass

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Below is a list of possible crops for use as biomass and/or biofuel production in Canada. Please rank them, in terms of economic viability, from 1 to 5, where 1 is the most important and 5 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4	5
Corn	Corn 1	Corn 2	Corn 3	Corn 4	Corn 5
Switchgrass	Switchgrass 1	Switchgrass 2	Switchgrass 3	Switchgrass 4	Switchgrass 5
Miscanthus	Miscanthus 1	Miscanthus 2	Miscanthus 3	Miscanthus 4	Miscanthus 5
Canola	Canola 1	Canola 2	Canola 3	Canola 4	Canola 5
Wheat	Wheat 1	Wheat 2	Wheat 3	Wheat 4	Wheat 5

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Below is a list of potential obstacles to using agricultural residues as feedstock for biofuel production. Please rank these from 1 to 4, where 1 is the most important and 4 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4
The demand for ruminant livestock source foods	The demand for ruminant livestock source foods 1	The demand for ruminant livestock source foods 2	The demand for ruminant livestock source foods 3	The demand for ruminant livestock source foods 4
Agronomically sustainable practices do not allow the removal of all available residues	Agronomically sustainable practices do not allow the removal of all available residues 1	Agronomically sustainable practices do not allow the removal of all available residues 2	Agronomically sustainable practices do not allow the removal of all available residues 3	Agronomically sustainable practices do not allow the removal of all available residues 4
Lack of knowledge regarding the value of residues, particularly in developing countries	Lack of knowledge regarding the value of residues, particularly in developing countries 1	Lack of knowledge regarding the value of residues, particularly in developing countries 2	Lack of knowledge regarding the value of residues, particularly in developing countries 3	Lack of knowledge regarding the value of residues, particularly in developing countries 4
Low quality of residues due to factors such as excessively high moisture content for bioenergy production	Low quality of residues due to factors such as excessively high moisture content for bioenergy production 1	Low quality of residues due to factors such as excessively high moisture content for bioenergy production 2	Low quality of residues due to factors such as excessively high moisture content for bioenergy production 3	Low quality of residues due to factors such as excessively high moisture content for bioenergy production 4

Other (please specify)

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* 17. Below is a list of primary challenges to biomass production as feedstock. Please rank these from 1 to 3, where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Inefficient resource management	Inefficient resource management 1	Inefficient resource management 2	Inefficient resource management 3
Regional and seasonal availability	Regional and seasonal availability 1	Regional and seasonal availability 2	Regional and seasonal availability 3
Government non-intervention policies	Government non-intervention policies 1	Government non-intervention policies 2	Government non-intervention policies 3

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Below is a list of environmental impacts related to biomass production in the long term. Please rank these from 1 to 4, where 1 is the most important and 4 is the least important.

	1	2	3	4
Soil nutrient depletion	Soil nutrient depletion 1	Soil nutrient depletion 2	Soil nutrient depletion 3	Soil nutrient depletion 4
Loss of diversity	Loss of diversity 1	Loss of diversity 2	Loss of diversity 3	Loss of diversity 4
Ecosystem disturbance	Ecosystem disturbance 1	Ecosystem disturbance 2	Ecosystem disturbance 3	Ecosystem disturbance 4
Water depletion and pollution	Water depletion and pollution 1	Water depletion and pollution 2	Water depletion and pollution 3	Water depletion and pollution 4

Other (please specify)

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* 19. Below is a list of activities that researchers can conduct to promote biomass production for renewable energy. Please rank these from 1 to 3, where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Promote environmentally friendly techniques for biomass production	Promote environmentally friendly techniques for biomass production 1	Promote environmentally friendly techniques for biomass production 2	Promote environmentally friendly techniques for biomass production 3
Increase land-use efficiency through cultivation on marginal lands	Increase land-use efficiency through cultivation on marginal lands 1	Increase land-use efficiency through cultivation on marginal lands 2	Increase land-use efficiency through cultivation on marginal lands 3
Reduce the related costs for biomass production by finding new techniques	Reduce the related costs for biomass production by finding new techniques 1	Reduce the related costs for biomass production by finding new techniques 2	Reduce the related costs for biomass production by finding new techniques 3

Other (please specify)

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* 20. Below is a list of what governments could do to encourage agricultural and industrial sectors to address a situation or issue related to biomass production. In your capacity as a researcher, please rank these from 1 to 3, where 1 is the most important and 3 is the least important.

	1	2	3
Increase their collaboration with academia to precisely articulate the issue and possible directions toward a solution	Increase their collaboration with academia to precisely articulate the issue and possible directions toward a solution 1	Increase their collaboration with academia to precisely articulate the issue and possible directions toward a solution 2	Increase their collaboration with academia to precisely articulate the issue and possible directions toward a solution 3
Establish/fund research programs for academia to specifically address the situations/challenges	Establish/fund research programs for academia to specifically address the situations/challenges 1	Establish/fund research programs for academia to specifically address the situations/challenges 2	Establish/fund research programs for academia to specifically address the situations/challenges 3
Encourage regular meetings and webinars with researchers to address the situations/challenges	Encourage regular meetings and webinars with researchers to address the situations/challenges 1	Encourage regular meetings and webinars with researchers to address the situations/challenges 2	Encourage regular meetings and webinars with researchers to address the situations/challenges 3

Other (please specify)

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