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Cited by 174Bioenergy crop production and managementBiofuel production and bioconversionBioeconomy and Sustainability Development

Biomass and biofuels in China: Toward bioenergy resource potentials and their impacts on the environment

Open access
Qin, Zhangcai, Zhuang, Qianlai, Cai, Ximing, He, Yujie, Huang, Yao, Jiang, Dong, Lin, Erda, Liu, Yaling +2 more·2018·Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.rser.2017.08.073
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AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review estimates that China could produce about 215 Mt of ethanol annually from existing crop residues and energy crops on marginal lands, far exceeding current production and the 2020 target. It finds likely GHG and air-quality benefits from substituting fossil fuels, but water, biodiversity, and soil impacts vary by feedstock, land source, and management.

Key findings

  • Available crop residues average about 280 Mt year⁻¹, theoretically yielding 65 Mt of cellulosic ethanol; energy crops on marginal lands could add over 150 Mt year⁻¹ of ethanol, for a total of 215 Mt year⁻¹ (272 BL), equal to 5% of national primary energy or a quarter of annual oil consumption.
  • Crop residue biomass production is estimated at 530–850 Mt year⁻¹, with 420–710 Mt collectable and 210–350 Mt available; corn provides the most abundant residues at 130 Mt year⁻¹, followed by rice and wheat together at 140 Mt year⁻¹.
  • Marginal land estimates range from 3 to 100 M ha, with associated biofuel production from 5 to over 300 Mt year⁻¹; under high scenarios, ethanol could reach 330 Mt (418 BL) in 2030, or about 400 Mt (507 BL) with 2% annual yield increase.
  • Life-cycle GHG emissions are lower for biofuels than fossil fuels in U.S. GREET estimates: corn residue ethanol 16 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹ and Miscanthus 13 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹ versus gasoline 92 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹; soybean and Jatropha biodiesel are 73% and 49% lower than diesel, respectively.

Methods

  • Review and synthesis of existing studies on crop residue and energy crop biomass in China, compared with U.S. Billion-Ton reports; focus is ethanol, with biodiesel discussed to a lesser extent.
  • Uses data from China’s Ministry of Agriculture survey, prior biomass studies, and the GREET model; estimates theoretical, collectable, and available residue production and marginal-land biofuel potential.
  • Main analysis applies a conversion efficiency of 263 kg ethanol per metric ton of dry biomass and scenario assumptions for crop yield increase and conversion technology improvement.

Limitations

  • Stated: the paper is not intended to quantify biomass production or environmental impacts in China; it is not exhaustive, focuses mainly on crop residues and energy crops for ethanol, and excludes forest residues, organic wastes, waste oils, and many native/wild plants.
  • Stated: many prior studies assess resource potential without considering economic viability and technical, environmental, social, and political constraints; a national investigation is desirable to inventory technical and economic potential and evaluate ecosystem-service impacts.
  • Evident from the text: estimates vary widely because of differences in survey year, crops selected, methodology, and parametric assumptions; China-specific GHG estimates are subject to change, and the life-cycle GHG values in Fig. 10 exclude land use change impacts.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.rser.2017.08.073

Cites

110 of 110 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 177 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning

    The estimated annual biofuel potential from crop residues and energy crops far exceeds current national fuel ethanol production (<2 Mt/yr) and the 2020 national target of 10 Mt/yr.

    “which far exceeds current national fuel ethanol production (< 2 Mt year -1 ) and the 2020 national target of 10 Mt year -1”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    Over 150 Mt of energy crop-based ethanol can become available each year in China.

    “over 150 Mt of energy crop-based ethanol can become available each year”
    • Also stated in: § 2.4. Total bioenergy potential · plain
      “the theoretical ethanol production from existing crop residues and marginal land-sourced feedstocks in China can reach 65 and 150 Mt year -1 , respectively”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Argonne National Laboratory, 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingcitation

    The impacts of biofuel production on biodiversity, water quantity and quality vary greatly among biomass types, land sources and management practices.

    “However, the impacts of biofuel production on biodiversity, water quantity and quality vary greatly among biomass types, land sources and management practices.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Gasparatos, 2011, Biofuels, ecosystem services and human wellbeing: putting biofuels in the ecosystem services narrative, Agric Ecosyst Environ source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingreasoning

    If assuming 2% annual yield increase since 2010, about 400 Mt (507 BL) of ethanol can be produced in China by 2030.

    “If assuming 2% annual yield increase since 2010, about 400 Mt (507 BL) of ethanol can be produced in China by 2030.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    With expanded land types and more productive energy crops, the biofuel production (e.g., ethanol) was estimated to exceed 100 Mt/yr in recent studies.

    “With expanded land types and more productive energy crops (e.g., Miscanthus), the biofuel production (e.g., ethanol) was estimated to exceed 100 Mt year -1 in recent studies (Fig. 6).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 44
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 21

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    About 280 million metric tons of crop residue-based biomass (or 65 Mt of ethanol) can become available each year in China.

    “It is estimated that about 280 million metric tons (Mt) of crop residue-based biomass (or 65 Mt of ethanol) and over 150 Mt of energy crop-based ethanol can become available each year”
    • Also stated in: § 2.2. Provisioning of biomass and biofuel from existing crop residues · hedged
      “If all of the available residues are used as biofuel feedstocks (e.g., 280 Mt year -1 on average, air dry), theoretically about 65 Mt (82.4 BL) of cellulosic ethanol can be produced annually”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Argonne National Laboratory, 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Currently corn and wheat are two major sources of residue biomass in both the U.S. and China, while rice is only vastly grown in China and is the second highest residue producer.

    “It is worth noting that currently corn and wheat are two major sources of residue biomass in both U.S. [23] and China (Fig. 4), while rice is only vastly grown in China and is the second highest residue producer (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] US DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2011, U.S. billion-ton update: biomass supply for a bioenergy and bioproducts industry

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Most crop residues come from the Yangtze River region and North China Plain, with the Greater Northeast also providing a large proportion.

    “Most of the residues come from the Yangtze River (YR) region which supplies most of rice in China, and North China Plain (NC) where corn and wheat are mainly produced (Fig. 5).The Greater Northeast (NE) also provides a large proportion of corn and rice residues.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In general, corn provides the most abundant residues of 130 Mt/yr, followed by rice and wheat with a total of 140 Mt/yr.

    “In general, corn provides the most abundant residues of 130 Mt year -1 , followed by rice and wheat with a total of 140 Mt year -1 (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A total of 530-850 Mt of biomass (air dry) can be produced annually from existing crop residues based on crop production during 1998-2010, of which 420-710 Mt is collectable and 210-350 Mt is available production.

    “It is estimated that a total of 530-850 Mt of biomass (air dry) can be produced annually from existing crop residues based on crop production during 1998-2010, of which 420-710 Mt is collectable and 210-350 Mt is available production (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The theoretical ethanol production from existing crop residues and marginal land-sourced feedstocks in China can reach 65 and 150 Mt/yr, respectively, assuming a current biomass-to-biofuel conversion efficiency of 263 kg ethanol per t biomass.

    “Assuming a”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Argonne National Laboratory, 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The total of 215 Mt/yr of ethanol accounts for 5% (by energy content) of total annual national primary energy consumption in China or equals a quarter of total annual oil consumption.

    “The total of 215 Mt year -1 of ethanol (272 BL) accounts for 5% (by energy content) of total annual national primary energy consumption in China or equals to a quarter of total annual oil consumption [2].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration), 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Substituting fossil fuels with biofuels could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution (e.g., particulate matter).

    “Review on environmental impacts suggested that substituting fossil fuels with biofuels could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution (e.g., particulate matter).”
    • Also stated in: § 1. Introduction · plain
      “Overall, biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks (e.g., corn residues, switchgrass) and certain non-grain conventional crops (e.g., cassava, Jatropha) have much less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants than fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) on an energy basis [6][7][8].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [6] Hill, 2006, Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Wang, 2012, Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from corn, sugarcane and cellulosic biomass for US use, Environ Res Lett source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Liang, 2013, Life cycle assessment of biodiesel production in China, Bioresour Technol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Using agricultural residues, bioenergy crops and other biomass feedstocks could increase the annual income by 18-23 billion dollars for rural farmers, and add up to 40 million jobs.

    “Using agricultural residues (mainly from food crops), bioenergy crops and other biomass feedstocks could increase the annual income by 18-23 billion dollars for rural farmers, and add up to 40 million jobs [12,15].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [12] Shi, 2010, China's resources of biomass feedstock, Eng Sci

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Zhuang, 2011, Assessment of bioenergy potential on marginal land in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    A total production of over 1.5 million metric tons of fuel ethanol was achieved annually in China since 2012, making China the world's third largest bioethanol producer.

    “With food grains (mainly corn and wheat) as major feedstocks, a total production of over 1.5 million metric tons (Mt) (1.9 billion liters or 1.9 BL) of fuel ethanol was achieved annually since 2012, making China the world's third largest bioethanol producer (Fig. 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Biofuel production can provide numerous ecosystem services including energy, possible carbon sequestration and climate regulation, but these services may be achieved at the expense of other ecosystem services such as water service and biodiversity.

    “Indeed, biofuel production can provide numerous ecosystem services including energy, possible carbon sequestration and climate regulation.However these services may be achieved at the expense of some other ecosystem services, for example, water service and biodiversity [25].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Gasparatos, 2011, Biofuels, ecosystem services and human wellbeing: putting biofuels in the ecosystem services narrative, Agric Ecosyst Environ source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Improved agricultural management and landscape planning can be beneficial to ecosystem services.

    “Improved agricultural management and landscape planning can be beneficial to ecosystem services.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Energy crops, including cellulosic crops, can be used to produce second-generation bioenergy and minimize the environmental costs.

    “Further, energy crops, including cellulosic crops, can be used to produce second-generation bioenergy and minimize the environmental costs [13,14].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [13] Sang, 2011, China's bioenergy potential, GCB Bioenergy source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [14] Qin, 2011, Carbon consequences and agricultural implications of growing biofuel crops on marginal agricultural lands in China, Environ Sci Technol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the U.S. Billion-Ton Study of 2005, a total of about 360 Mt of crop residues are produced annually, with 190-290 Mt of sustainable stover and straw residues.

    “In the BTS of 2005, it is estimated that a total of about 360 Mt of crop residues are produced annually, with 190-290 Mt of sustainable stover and straw residues [23].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] US DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2011, U.S. billion-ton update: biomass supply for a bioenergy and bioproducts industry

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    According to a recent survey by the Ministry of Agriculture of China, about 84% of crop residues are collectable, and only 30% of the collectables are available for biofuel use.

    “According to a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture of China (MOA) [27], about 84% of the residues are collectable, and only 30% of the collectables are available for biofuel use while most has already been used for heating, cooking, animal feed, fertilization and industry.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China), 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    China's total fuel ethanol production amounts to only 10% of Brazil's and 4% of the U.S. production in 2014.

    “The total fuel ethanol production in China amounts to only 10% of the production in Brazil, and 4% of that in the U.S. (2014) (Fig. 1a).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have reported that each year about 500-800 Mt of biomass (air dry) is generated from crop residues, and over 200 Mt can be made available for additional uses other than heating, animal feed or soil preservation.

    “Previous studies have reported that each year about 500-800 Mt of biomass (air dry) is generated from crop residues.Over 200 Mt of the biomass can be made available for additional uses (e.g., biofuel production) other than heating, animal feed or soil preservation [12,15,27,30].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [12] Shi, 2010, China's resources of biomass feedstock, Eng Sci

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Zhuang, 2011, Assessment of bioenergy potential on marginal land in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China), 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] Ji, 2015, An assessment of agricultural residue resources for liquid biofuel production in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most crops including corn, wheat and even rice generally have higher yield in the U.S. than in China, which suggests that the U.S. could potentially have higher residue production.

    “On the one hand, most crops including corn, wheat and even rice whose residues are often harvested for bioenergy uses, generally have higher yield in the U.S. than in China [55], which suggests that the U.S. could potentially have higher residue production.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [55] FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    China's fossil fuel (especially coal) energy consumption results in high carbon dioxide emissions, environmental and human health risks.

    “China's fossil fuel (especially coal) energy consumption results in high carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, environmental and human health risks [3].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Fan, 2007, Potential environmental benefits from increased use of bioenergy in China, Environ Manag source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    China's biofuel production is expected to fall short of the targets set for the 12th Five-Year Plan and the 2020 goal of the National Development and Reform Commission, mainly due to limited feedstocks supplies and a desire to maintain food grains' self-sufficiency.

    “The biofuel production is expected to fall short of the targets set for the 12th Five-Year Plan and the 2020 goal of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) (Fig. 2), mainly due to limited feedstocks supplies and a desire to maintain food grains' self-sufficiency [16].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Although open burning of crop residues is banned in China, it still occurs occasionally and causes severe air pollution.

    “Although open burning of crop residues is banned in China, it still occurs occasionally and causes severe air pollution [27,28].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China), 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [28] Li, 2007, Particulate and trace gas emissions from open burning of wheat straw and corn stover in China, Environ Sci Technol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Single cropping dominates the U.S. crop systems, while multiple cropping has been significantly contributing to the overall harvest area and total annual crop production in China.

    “On the other, however, single cropping dominates the U.S. crop systems, while multiple cropping has been significantly contributing to the overall harvest area and total annual crop production in China [56,57].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [56] Yang, 2011, The possible effect of climate warming on northern limits of cropping system and crop yield in China, Agric Sci China source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [57] Frolking, 2002, Combining remote sensing and ground census data to develop new maps of the distribution of rice agriculture in China, Glob Biogeochem Cycles source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The total current traditional biomass feedstocks in China is about 1 billion metric tons of standard coal equivalent (TCE), which is much higher than energy generated from small-scale hydropower (0.06 billion TCE) or wind power (0.12 billion TCE) in 2008.

    “Shi [11,12] estimated that the total current traditional biomass feedstocks in China is about 1 billion metric tons of standard coal equivalent (TCE), which is much higher than the energy generated from small-scale hydropower (0.06 billion TCE), or wind power (0.12 billion TCE) (2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [11] Shi, 2009, The energy rattrap and transition of China, Eng Sci

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Shi, 2010, China's resources of biomass feedstock, Eng Sci

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    For transportation use in the U.S., 40-85% of GHG emissions can be reduced by using ethanol relative to gasoline on a per MJ energy basis; the actual reduction varies by different feedstocks.

    “The model estimated that for transportation use in the U.S., 40-85% of GHG emissions can be reduced by using ethanol relative to gasoline on a per MJ energy basis; the actual reduction varies by different feedstocks (Fig. 10).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Argonne National Laboratory, 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    For specific biofuel feedstocks and pathways, especially in China, the actual size of GHG emissions may vary.

    “However, for specific biofuel feedstocks and pathways, especially in China, the actual size of GHG emissions may vary.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Land use change can happen directly or indirectly.

    “It can happen directly (e.g., land transitions to biofuel crops) or indirectly (unintended transitions in response to the increased global biofuels demand) [123].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [123] Qin, 2017, Towards life cycle analysis on land use change and climate impacts from bioenergy production: a review

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    According to BT2, for baseline scenario at $40 per dry ton, the annual energy crop production is only 3 Mt in 2017 and 30 Mt in 2030; with higher yield and price, production can go up to 160 Mt in 2017 and over 700 Mt in 2030.

    “According to BT2, for baseline scenario at $40 per dry ton, the annual energy crop production is only 3 Mt in 2017 and 30 Mt in 2030.However, with higher yield (2-4% annual increase) and price (up to $60 per dry ton), the production can go up to 160 Mt in 2017 and over 700 Mt in 2030 [23].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] US DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2011, U.S. billion-ton update: biomass supply for a bioenergy and bioproducts industry

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Energy crops can be planted on cropland and pastureland (mainly marginal), so they compete with existing crops or forage, and can displace other existing crops if they are more profitable.

    “However, it should be noted that the energy crops can be planted on cropland and pastureland (mainly marginal), so they compete with existing crops or forage.Energy crops can displace other existing crops if they are more profitable [23].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] US DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2011, U.S. billion-ton update: biomass supply for a bioenergy and bioproducts industry

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In China, most croplands are protected and only marginal lands can be made available for bioenergy cropping.

    “This, however, is prohibited in China, as most croplands are protected and only marginal lands can be made available for bioenergy cropping [5,12,15].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [5] NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission), 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Shi, 2010, China's resources of biomass feedstock, Eng Sci

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Zhuang, 2011, Assessment of bioenergy potential on marginal land in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In BT16, the projected energy crop production in 2040 can range from 50 Mt to over 700 Mt depending on price and yield scenarios; with extremely high price and annual yield increase, biomass production can reach over 900 Mt.

    “In BT16, the projected energy crop production in 2040 can range from 50 Mt to over 700 Mt depending on the price ($40-80 per dry ton) and yield scenarios (1-3% annual increase) [21].With extremely high price ($100 per dry ton) and annual yield increase (4%), the biomass production can reach over 900 Mt (BT16 online database).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] USDOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2016, Billion-ton report: advancing domestic resources for a thriving bioeconomy, volume 1: economic availability of feedstocks

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Land use change can occur during the biomass production stage and alter carbon stocks in vegetation and soil.

    “It can occur during the biomass production stage and alter carbon stocks in vegetation and soil [67,68].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [67] Romeu-Dalmau C, Gasparatos A, von Maltitz G, Graham A, Almagro-Garcia J, Wilebore B, et al. Impacts of land use change due to biofuel crops on climate regulation services: five case studies in Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland. Biomass Bioenergy; n.d. 〈http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.05.011〉. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [68] Qin, 2016, Soil carbon sequestration and land use change associated with biofuel production: empirical evidence, GCB Bioenergy source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Switchgrass and Miscanthus are highly productive and adaptive to less favorable soil and climate conditions.

    “Two major cellulosic energy crops, switchgrass and Miscanthus are highly productive and adaptive to less favorable soil and climate conditions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [14] Qin, 2011, Carbon consequences and agricultural implications of growing biofuel crops on marginal agricultural lands in China, Environ Sci Technol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [65] Yan, 2012, Variability and adaptability of Miscanthus species evaluated for energy crop domestication, GCB Bioenergy source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sweet sorghum and sweet potato can thrive under dry and warm conditions and are often suggested as possible energy crops grown on most marginal lands.

    “Sweet sorghum and sweet potato that can thrive under dry and warm conditions are often suggested as possible energy crops grown on most marginal lands [64].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [64] Wang, 2011, Time for commercializing non-food biofuel in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Indicators of land use change, soil carbon change, and air quality can often be integrated together to estimate the life-cycle GHG emissions in terms of radiative forcing.

    “The indicators of land use change, soil carbon change, and air quality can often be integrated together to estimate the life-cycle GHG emissions in terms of radiative forcing (e.g., GREET) [54].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] Argonne National Laboratory, 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There are mixed opinions about biofuel impacts on biodiversity.

    “There are mixed opinions about biofuel impacts on biodiversity [43,[95][96][97].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43,[95][96][97]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    For existing crop residue production in China, land use change (excluding crop switches) does not occur, and therefore its impacts on GHG emissions are trivial.

    “However, for existing crop residue production in China, land use change (excluding crop switches) does not occur, and therefore its impacts on GHG emissions are trivial.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The MOA survey suggested that 100 Mt of crop residues were returned to maintain soil quality, about 15% of total collectable crop residues in China, not including another 133 Mt of root stubble regularly returned to soils.

    “The MOA survey [27] suggested that, totally 100 Mt of crop residues were returned to maintain soil quality, which is about 15% of total collectable crop residues in China, not including another 133 Mt of root stubble that is regularly returned to soils.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China), 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Biofuel production could significantly reduce emissions of air pollutants, and this could be treated as a credit for crop residue biofuels as opposed to residue burning.

    “Biofuel production could significantly reduce emissions of air pollutants, and this could be treated as a credit for crop residue biofuels as opposed to residue burning.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Biofuels can help reduce PM2.5 and SO2 but not nitrous oxide (N2O).

    “For example, biofuels can help reduce PM 2.5 and SO 2 but not nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a potent GHG emissions (Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [6] Hill, 2006, Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [77] Creutzig, 2015, Bioenergy and climate change mitigation: an assessment, GCB Bioenergy source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Partial residue removal together with additional organic matter inputs (e.g., manure application, cover crop) can maintain soil carbon level and sustain soil quality.

    “It is worth noting that many studies suggested that partial residue removal, as it is normally being done, together with additional organic matter inputs (e.g., manure application, cover crop) can maintain soil carbon level and sustain soil quality [72,73].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [72] Sheehan, 2014, CO2 emissions from crop residue-derived biofuels, Nat Clim Change source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [73] Robertson, 2014, CO2 emissions from crop residue-derived biofuels, Nat Clim Change source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Biodiversity could influence provisioning (food, water), supporting (habitat) and regulating services (soil quality).

    “Biodiversity could influence provisioning (food, water), supporting (habitat) and regulating services (soil quality) [25,43,85].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [25] Gasparatos, 2011, Biofuels, ecosystem services and human wellbeing: putting biofuels in the ecosystem services narrative, Agric Ecosyst Environ source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [43] Werling, 2014, Perennial grasslands enhance biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services in bioenergy landscapes, PNAS source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [85] Santangeli, 2015, Global change synergies and trade-offs between renewable energy and biodiversity, GCB Bioenergy

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Overall air quality can be improved if using biofuels in place of fossil fuels, however specific emission reduction still varies among different biofuel feedstocks, air quality species and biofuel pathways.

    “Overall air quality can be improved if using biofuels in place of fossil fuels, however specific emission reduction still varies among different biofuel feedstocks, air quality species and biofuel pathways [6,77] (Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [6] Hill, 2006, Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [77] Creutzig, 2015, Bioenergy and climate change mitigation: an assessment, GCB Bioenergy source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Cropping intensification is believed to be an alternative to provide additional biomass production without significant cropland expansion.

    “For instance, cropping intensification is believed to be an alternative to provide additional biomass production without significant cropland expansion [86].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [86] Mauser, 2015, Global biomass production potentials exceed expected future demand without the need for cropland expansion, Nat Commun source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Improved management and improved landscape planning are critical for biofuel cropping to benefit ecosystem services and the environment.

    “Numerous studies have emphasized that improved management and improved landscape planning are critical for biofuel cropping to benefit ecosystem services and the environment [43,77,82,[96][97][98][99].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43,77,82,[96][97][98][99]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The latest U.S. Billion-Ton Report (BT16) can be a good example to consider with regard to its crop-specific and spatially explicit quantification of biomass feedstocks, and the first attempt to evaluate environmental impacts associated with biomass production.

    “The latest U.S. Billion-Ton Report (BT16) can be a good example to consider with regard to its cropspecific and spatially explicit quantification of biomass feedstocks [21], and the first attempt to evaluate environmental impacts (e.g., GHG emissions, air quality, water quality and quantity) associated with biomass production [24].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [21] USDOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2016, Billion-ton report: advancing domestic resources for a thriving bioeconomy, volume 1: economic availability of feedstocks

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [24] USDOE (U.S. Department of Energy), 2017, 2016 Billion-ton report: advancing domestic resources for a thriving bioeconomy, volume 2: environmental sustainability effects of select scenarios from volume 1

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Compared with annual crops, perennials require less soil disturbance, fertilizer and herbicide uses, which can reduce risks of environmental pollution.

    “For example, compared with annul crops, perennials require less soil disturbance, fertilizer and herbicide uses, which can reduce risks of environmental pollution [40,43].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [40] Xue, 2016, Assessment of the production potentials of Miscanthus on marginal land in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [43] Werling, 2014, Perennial grasslands enhance biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services in bioenergy landscapes, PNAS source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Profit-maximizing reallocation of land to bioenergy crops while maintaining food production, and production-maximizing crop selection considering environmental constraints, could help maximize biomass production while minimizing environmental footprints.

    “Profit-maximizing reallocation land to bioenergy crops, but still maintain food production [86] from existing cropland, and production-maximizing crop selection considering en-vironmental constraints [93] could help maximize biomass production while minimize environmental footprints.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [86] Mauser, 2015, Global biomass production potentials exceed expected future demand without the need for cropland expansion, Nat Commun source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [93] Housh, 2015, Managing multiple mandates: a system of systems model to analyze strategies for producing cellulosic ethanol and reducing riverine nitrate loads in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, Environ Sci Technol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Partial residue harvest and additional carbon management have been highly advised as proper practices for maintaining soil carbon and overall soil quality.

    “Partial residue harvest and additional carbon management have been highly advised as proper practices for maintaining soil carbon and overall soil quality [99,102].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [99] Karlen, 2014, Crop residue considerations for sustainable bioenergy feedstock supplies, Bioenergy Res source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [102] Fronning, 2008, Use of manure, compost, and cover crops to supplant crop residue carbon in corn stover removed cropping systems, Agron J source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Other feedstocks, including forest residues, organic wastes, waste oils and other native and wild plants, could also become valuable biomass sources to produce ethanol, biodiesel, biogas, electricity and other forms of bioenergy under certain circumstances.

    “However, it should be noted that other feedstocks, including forest residues [122], organic wastes [120], waste oils [121] and other native and wild plants [116,117], could also become valuable biomass sources to produce ethanol, biodiesel, biogas, electricity and other forms of bioenergy under certain circumstances.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [122] Yang, 2013, Forest-based bioenergy in China: status, opportunities, and challenges, Renew Sustain Energy Rev source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [120] Chen, 2017, New method for enhancement of bioenergy production from municipal organic wastes via regulation of anaerobic fermentation process, Appl Energy source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [121] Yang, 2017, Life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas and PM2.5 emissions from restaurant waste oil used for biodiesel production in China, Bioenergy Res source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    For marginal land utilization, land location, species selection, and biomass productivity are factors as important as land management to plan energy crop landscape and determine environmental impacts.

    “For marginal land utilization, land location, species selection, and biomass productivity are factors as important as land management to plan energy crop landscape and determine environmental impacts.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Perennials (e.g., switchgrass) grown on marginal lands instead of corn can increase biodiversity, and promote the creation of multifunctional agricultural landscapes.

    “For example, grown on marginal lands, perennials (e.g., switchgrass) instead of corn can increase biodiversity, and promote the creation of multifunctional agricultural landscapes [97].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [97] Immerzeel, 2013, Biodiversity impacts of bioenergy crop production: a state-of-the-art review, GCB Bioenergy

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    It is viable in many regions to intensify cropping by expanding current multiple cropping areas, growing biofuel crops during fallow season, or bringing back previous abandoned multiple cropping.

    “It is viable in many regions to intensify cropping by expanding current multiple cropping areas [56,106], growing biofuel crops during fallow season [107,108] or bringing back previous abandoned multiple cropping (which was converted to lower intensity because of high farming cost or other reasons) [56,109].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [56] Yang, 2011, The possible effect of climate warming on northern limits of cropping system and crop yield in China, Agric Sci China source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [106] Liu, 2013, Changes in the potential multiple cropping system in response to climate change in China from 1960–2010, PLoS One source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [107] Wang, 2013, Assessment of rapeseed-based biodiesel potential on winter fallowing fields in the middle and lower reaches of Changjiang River, China, Energy Educ Sci Technol Part A: Energy Sci Res

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [108] Feyereisen, 2013, Cellulosic biofuel potential of a winter Rye double crop across the U.S. corn–soybean belt, Agron J source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [109] Wu, 2014, How could agricultural land systems contribute to raise food production under Global change?, J Integr Agric source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The significance of environmental impacts depends on many factors such as feedstocks type, biomass productivity and land use change.

    “The significance of environmental impacts depends on many factors such as feedstocks type, biomass productivity and land use change.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Compared with fossil fuels, biofuel can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality (e.g., PM2.5 and SO2 reduction).

    “Compared with fossil fuels, biofuel can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality (e.g., PM 2.5 and SO 2 reduction).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Water quantity and quality may also be affected during biomass and biofuel production processes (e.g., increased irrigation, chemicals and nutrients flows into water).

    “Water quantity and quality may also be affected during biomass and biofuel production processes (e.g., increased irrigation, chemicals and nutrients flows into water).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Risk of biodiversity loss can be reduced if energy crop ecosystems are well managed.

    “Risk of biodiversity loss can be reduced if energy crop ecosystems are well managed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Crop residues (30%) and energy crops (70%) can technically contribute to over 200 Mt of ethanol annually, which equals 1/4 of total annual national oil consumption by energy content.

    “In terms of bioenergy potential, these crop residues (30%) and energy crops (70%) can technically contribute to over 200 Mt of ethanol annually which equals ¼ of total annual national oil consumption by energy content.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Biomass feedstocks production is only one of many factors determining bioenergy production in China; biofuel technology, socio-economic benefits, energy policies and incentives can all play vital roles in the development of bioenergy industry.

    “It should be noted that biomass feedstocks production is only one of many factors determining bioenergy production in China, biofuel technology, socio-economic benefits, energy policies and incentives can all play vital roles in the development of bioenergy industry.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
58 of 58

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Water-related concerns can be controlled through proper crop species selection and optimal management.

    “the above-mentioned water-related concerns can be controlled through proper crop species selection and optimal management”

    From Bioenergy production and environmental impacts (2018) · cites this paper as Qin et al. 2018

  • Substituting fossil fuels with biofuels could also significantly reduce air pollution, such as particulate matter, in China.

    “substituting fossil fuels with biofuels could also significantly reduce the air pollution (e.g., particulate matter) in China.”

    From Bioenergy production and environmental impacts (2018) · cites this paper as Qin et al. (2018)

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Shi, 2009, The energy rattrap and transition of China, Eng Sci, 11
  2. Shi, 2010, China's resources of biomass feedstock, Eng Sci, 13, 16
  3. Wang, 2013, Assessment of rapeseed-based biodiesel potential on winter fallowing fields in the middle and lower reaches of Changjiang River, China, Energy Educ Sci Technol Part A: Energy Sci Res, 31, 1653
  4. Xue, 2016, Assessment of the production potentials of Miscanthus on marginal land in China, Renew Sustain Energy Rev, 54, 932, 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.040 · DOI · Paper page

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Qin, Z., Zhuang, Q., Cai, X., He, Y., Huang, Y., Jiang, D., Lin, E., Liu, Y., Tang, Y., & Wang, M. Q.
Affiliations
  • Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
  • University of California, Irvine (US)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
  • Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
  • Joint Global Change Research Institute (US)
  • Argonne National Laboratory (US)
Corresponding author
  • Qin, Zhangcai
  • Zhuang, Qianlai
ORCID
Venue
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-02
Volume
82
Pages
2387-2400
ISSN
1364-0321 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.rser.2017.08.073
OpenAlex
W2752062609
Semantic Scholar
d09d93eaa2a72fc43d94c6c84a5b2dddcec3f445
Cited by
174
References
110
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 1
FWCI
30.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Institute of Botany, CAS Institutional Repository (submittedVersion)
  • OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • DOE (DE-FG02-08ER64599)
  • NSF Division of Information & Intelligent Systems (NSF-1028291)
  • Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (B08037)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biofuel production and bioconversion
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
Keywords
biofuels, biomass resources, crop residues, energy crops, Miscanthus, ethanol production, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, particulate matter, biodiversity impacts, water quality, ecosystem services, marginal land

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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

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