The Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, has become a full partner with the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. CBI is one of four Biological and Environmental Research Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, with a mission to advance the use of biomass for biofuel and bioproduct development as part of the emerging bioeconomy.
Urban heat islands are areas with few trees, little shade and an environment that releases heat into the air. Trees make cities more livable as temperatures rise with climate change. Heat islands can coincide with impoverished areas and human health problems. Mary Cadenasso, Plant Sciences professor, researches heat islands.
Bioenergy crops are central to climate mitigation strategies. Bioenergy is a developing renewable resource, but it can impact land for food, and ecosystem services. Gail Taylor, Plant Sciences, received $2.52 million from the Department of Energy to develop bioenergy poplar trees for low-quality, marginal land.
