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Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in...
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Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy

A special issue of Resources (ISSN 2079-9276).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 21201

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Volker Beckmann

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Law and Economics & Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Soldmann Str. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
Interests: institutional change; institutional economics; environmental and resource economics; governance of natural resources; agricultural and land economics; conservation; technology adoption; sustainable land management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Niels Thevs

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. World Agroforestry Centre, Central Asia Office, 138 Toktogol Street, 720001 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
2. Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 53113 Bonn, Germany
Interests: water resource management; soil organic carbon; sustainable intensification; remote sensing; agricultural economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Joachim Venus

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Guest Editor
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Department of Microbiome Biotechnology, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
Interests: industrial biotechnology; bioconversion; bioengineering; bioprocesses; biomass and residues; biorefineries; microbial conversion processes; microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Wendelin Wichtmann

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Guest Editor
Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmann Str. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
Interests: paludiculture, soil physics, landscape–water balance, solute movement in soils, economy on farm level, water management, peatland utilisation, GHG emissions from agriculture, ecosystem services

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is a worldwide-spread wetland plant with a high biomass potential and plant features that can turn it into a valuable renewable resource for multiple purposes. Traditional utilizations, like its use for thatching in Europe or for pulp and paper production in China, are still common; however, research and development is exploring new innovative utilization options, for instance, for advanced building materials, biofuels, biogas, and bioplastics. Besides proving technical feasibility, many obstacles are usually related to the up-scaling of new utilizations. Securing the resource base, employing cost-efficient and environmentally friendly harvesting technologies, establishing profitable supply and values chains, and raising consumer acceptance are just a few of them. Furthermore, there are different social and ecological contexts in which the utilization of reed is embedded. Reed beds are sometimes considered to be a strongly protected habitat—as, for example, in Germany—or invasive, as in North America. This Special Issue focuses on the sustainable and innovative utilization of reed biomass in the bioeconomy. Research papers, reviews, and case studies are welcome that introduce new utilizations and/or discuss sustainability issues related to reed utilization. In particular, we encourage papers on the organization of supply chains, the acceptance of final consumers, sustainable harvesting techniques, property rights and governances structures, and governmental regulations of the utilization of common reed in the bioeconomy.

Prof. Dr. Volker Beckmann
Dr. Niels Thevs
Dr. Joachim Venus
Dr. Wendelin Wichtmann
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bioeconomy
  • common reed
  • wetlands
  • renewable construction materials
  • biogas
  • bioplastics
  • biofuels

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2129 KiB  
Article
Common Reed for Thatching in Northern Germany: Estimating the Market Potential of Reed of Regional Origin
by Lea Becker, Sabine Wichmann and Volker Beckmann
Resources 2020, 9(12), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9120146 - 16 Dec 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4827
Abstract
Reed has a long tradition as locally available thatching material, but nowadays thatch is a globally traded commodity. Germany and other major importing countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark rely on high import rates to meet the national consumption. [...] Read more.
Reed has a long tradition as locally available thatching material, but nowadays thatch is a globally traded commodity. Germany and other major importing countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark rely on high import rates to meet the national consumption. This study aimed at providing a detailed picture of the thatching reed market in Northern Germany and at assessing the market potential for reed of regional origin. A written survey among all thatchers in Northern Germany was carried out in 2019, arriving at an effective sample of 47 out of 141 companies. The results revealed that for the responding companies the majority of the reed (59%) was used for rethatching roofs completely, 24% for newly constructed roofs, and 17% for roof repairs. Reed from Germany held a low share of 17% of the total consumption in 2018. Own reed harvesting was conducted by less than 9% of the responding companies and given up during the last decades by another 26%. The total market volume of reed for thatching in Northern Germany was estimated for 2018 with a 95% confidence interval at 3 ± 0.8 million bundles of reed with a monetary value at sales prices of €11.6 ± 2.8 million. Based on the end consumer demand, the supply gap for reed of regional or German origin was estimated at 523,000 ± 392,000 bundles of reed equaling a market value of €1.9 ± 1.4 million, indicating high uncertainties. Most of the responding thatchers (70%) did not promote reed of regional origin, mainly due to insufficient availability but also a lack in quality was reported. The cultivation of reed in paludiculture, i.e., as climate-smart land use alternative to drainage-based agriculture on peatlands, can increase the availability of thatching reed in Germany and simultaneously reduce GHG emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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17 pages, 4992 KiB  
Article
Suitability of Wild Phragmites australis as Bio-Resource: Tissue Quality and Morphology of Populations from Three Continents
by Franziska Eller, Xiao Guo, Siyuan Ye, Thomas J. Mozdzer and Hans Brix
Resources 2020, 9(12), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9120143 - 7 Dec 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3670
Abstract
We collected and analyzed morphological characteristics and tissue nutrient concentrations of common reed (Phragmites australis) populations from Denmark, USA, and China, harvested late summer at the peak of the biomass production. The aim was to estimate the suitability of the biomass [...] Read more.
We collected and analyzed morphological characteristics and tissue nutrient concentrations of common reed (Phragmites australis) populations from Denmark, USA, and China, harvested late summer at the peak of the biomass production. The aim was to estimate the suitability of the biomass for different bioenergy purposes. The potential of reed as bioenergy feedstock is increasingly recognized, as the species already is utilized for construction, water purification, and pulp production. Our morphological data showed that biomass yield can be allometrically predicted to be high, especially in the reed populations of the US. However, no consistent pattern according to geographical origin was detected, and especially tissue nutrient concentrations varied within and between populations. Some mineral concentrations were above the desirable threshold for biocombustion, such as nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). Iron (Fe) was higher than the critical toxicity concentration in many populations and hence, negatively correlated with morphological and growth traits. A different harvest time is likely to result in lower ion concentrations. Some populations had low C to N ratios, which are suitable for biomethane production, while the relatively low ash content of all populations (ranging from 3.9% to 8.5%) suggested a high heating value and theoretical energy potential. Reed biomass production is a promising alternative to fossil fuels and potentially suitable for other bio-based product. Improved knowledge is needed to examine local needs and application possibilities for reed biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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13 pages, 1485 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) as Bedding for Housed Suckler Cows: Practical and Economic Aspects for Farmers
by Daphné Durant, Anne Farruggia and Alexandre Tricheur
Resources 2020, 9(12), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9120140 - 26 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3554
Abstract
The common reed (Phragmites australis) has long been used in wetlands of the French Atlantic coast as fodder and bedding or roof thatching, among other uses. This article explores the practical and economic aspects of utilizing common reed for housing suckler [...] Read more.
The common reed (Phragmites australis) has long been used in wetlands of the French Atlantic coast as fodder and bedding or roof thatching, among other uses. This article explores the practical and economic aspects of utilizing common reed for housing suckler cows compared to straw. Based on a study conducted over two years on a research farm of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), located in the marshes of Rochefort-sur-Mer, we show that reed is a good alternative to cereal straw and its cost is quite competitive compared to straw; the closer the reed bed is to the farm, the more competitive it is. By mobilizing the concept of restoration of natural capital, we lay the foundations for a debate on a possible revival of this ancient practice, with the idea that ecological restoration of reed beds can benefit biodiversity and the economy of wetlands farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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13 pages, 1035 KiB  
Article
L-(+)-Lactic Acid from Reed: Comparing Various Resources for the Nutrient Provision of B. coagulans
by Linda Schroedter, Roland Schneider, Lisa Remus and Joachim Venus
Resources 2020, 9(7), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9070089 - 20 Jul 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4804
Abstract
Biotechnological production of lactic acid (LA) is based on the so-called first generation feedstocks, meaning sugars derived from food and feed crops such as corn, sugarcane and cassava. The aim of this study was to exploit the potential of a second generation resource: [...] Read more.
Biotechnological production of lactic acid (LA) is based on the so-called first generation feedstocks, meaning sugars derived from food and feed crops such as corn, sugarcane and cassava. The aim of this study was to exploit the potential of a second generation resource: Common reed (Phragmites australis) is a powerfully reproducing sweet grass which grows in wetlands and creates vast monocultural populations. This lignocellulose biomass bears the possibility to be refined to value-added products, without competing with agro industrial land. Besides utilizing reed as a renewable and inexpensive substrate, low-cost nutritional supplementation was analyzed for the fermentation of thermophilic Bacillus coagulans. Various nutritional sources such as baker’s and brewer’s yeast, lucerne green juice and tryptone were investigated for the replacement of yeast extract. The structure of the lignocellulosic material was tackled by chemical treatment (1% NaOH) and enzymatic hydrolysis (Cellic® CTec2). B. coagulans DSM ID 14-300 was employed for the homofermentative conversion of the released hexose and pentose sugars to polymerizable L-(+)-LA of over 99.5% optical purity. The addition of autolyzed baker’s yeast led to the best results of fermentation, enabling an LA titer of 28.3 g L−1 and a yield of 91.6%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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14 pages, 1219 KiB  
Article
Biomethane Yield from Different European Phragmites australis Genotypes, Compared with Other Herbaceous Wetland Species Grown at Different Fertilization Regimes
by Franziska Eller, Per Magnus Ehde, Claudia Oehmke, Linjing Ren, Hans Brix, Brian K. Sorrell and Stefan E. B. Weisner
Resources 2020, 9(5), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9050057 - 12 May 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4211
Abstract
Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia and Arundo donax are tall wetland graminoids with the potential to replace fossil fuels under sustainable cultivation conditions. We investigated the biomethane (CH4) production of these four species, including four different genotypes of [...] Read more.
Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia and Arundo donax are tall wetland graminoids with the potential to replace fossil fuels under sustainable cultivation conditions. We investigated the biomethane (CH4) production of these four species, including four different genotypes of P. australis, which represent the high intraspecific diversity of European reed. All plants were grown under three different macronutrient supplies (no nutrients added, an equivalent of 75 kg N ha−1 year−1 added and an equivalent of 500 kg N ha−1 year−1 added). Biomethane production was measured in four independent batch digestion tests. Across all experiments, fertilization regime had little effect on CH4 yield, which was on average 222 ± 31 L kg−1 volatile solids (VS). The lowest yield was produced by T. angustifolia (140 L kgVS−1) receiving no nutrients, while the highest yield was produced by A. donax (305 L kgVS−1) in the highest nutrient treatment. The intraspecific diversity of P. australis did not affect biomethane production. All P. australis genotypes produced on average 226 ± 19 L CH4 kgVS−1, which, although high, was still lower than conventional biogas species. The biomass production of P. australis was less increased by fertilization than that of Typha sp. and A. donax, but all species had similar biomass without fertilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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Review

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25 pages, 1146 KiB  
Review
Biomass Resources of Phragmites australis in Kazakhstan: Historical Developments, Utilization, and Prospects
by Azim Baibagyssov, Niels Thevs, Sabir Nurtazin, Rainer Waldhardt, Volker Beckmann and Ruslan Salmurzauly
Resources 2020, 9(6), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9060074 - 16 Jun 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5961
Abstract
Common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.) is a highly productive wetland plant and a potentially valuable source of renewable biomass worldwide. There is more than 10 million ha of reed area globally, distributed mainly across Eurasia followed by America and [...] Read more.
Common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.) is a highly productive wetland plant and a potentially valuable source of renewable biomass worldwide. There is more than 10 million ha of reed area globally, distributed mainly across Eurasia followed by America and Africa. The literature analysis in this paper revealed that Kazakhstan alone harbored ca. 1,600,000–3,000,000 ha of reed area, mostly distributed in the deltas and along the rivers of the country. Herein, we explored the total reed biomass stock of 17 million t year−1 which is potentially available for harvesting in the context of wise use of wetlands. The aim of this paper is to reveal the distribution of reed resource potential in wetland areas of 13 provinces of Kazakhstan and the prospects for its sustainable utilization. Reed can be used as feedstock as an energy source for the production of pellets and biofuels, as lignocellulosic biomass for the production of high strength fibers for novel construction and packaging materials, and innovative polymers for lightweight engineering plastics and adhesive coatings. Thereby, it is unlikely that reed competes for land that otherwise is used for food production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Innovative Utilization of Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) in the Bioeconomy)
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