forest service 

research and 

development

bioenergy 

and 

biobased 

products 

strategic 

direction 

2009-2014

forest service research 

and development 

Research and Development (R&D) in the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a primary 

source of forest research and scientific information for the 

Nation. Our mission is to develop and deliver knowledge 

and innovative technology to improve the health and use of 

the Nation’s forests and rangelands. Working with partners 

across public and private sectors, we provide knowledge and 

technology to sustainably manage forests and rangelands to 

provide goods, services, and values now and into the future.

a national issue 

Decreases in the availability and security of petroleum 

supplies, coupled with global increases in demands, are 

driving energy, transportation, food, and fiber prices higher. 

Dependence on petroleum threatens U.S. energy, economic, 

and environmental security. A nation with insecure or inadequate energy resources is at risk of being unable to feed 

and house its people, care for its environment, and sustain its 

economy. Biomass is the single renewable resource that has 

the potential to supply a significant portion of U.S. liquid 

transportation fuels, chemicals, and substitutes for fossil fuelintensive products. The Energy Independence and Security 

Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140) mandates that by 2022, 

the United States will replace 36 billion gallons/year (bg/yr) 

of transportation fuels with biofuels, with 

at least 16 bg/yr coming from cellulosic 

feedstocks. In 2007, then-Forest Service 

Chief Gail Kimbell set a goal of replacing 15 percent of current U.S. gasoline 

consumption with ethanol from wood—

approximately 21 bg/yr —to meet energy 

goals and to help reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions (Kimbell 2007). Replacing 20 

percent of U.S. transportation fuels with 

biofuels, substituting biopower for 7 percent of energy use in industry and utilities, 

and increasing biobased products produced 

to 27.7 million tons using materials from 

America’s farms and forests will come from 

a well-established, economically viable 

biobased products and bioenergy industry. 

President Barack Obama called for doubling renewable 

energy production (2009). The President also created the 

Biofuels Interagency Working Group (Biofuels and Rural Economic Development 2009), which is charged with 

developing the Nation’s first comprehensive biofuel market 

development program; coordinating infrastructure policies 

affecting the supply, secure transport, and distribution of 

biofuels; and identifying new policy options to promote the 

environmental sustainability of biofuels feedstock production. 

Wood is an abundant, sustainable, homegrown cellulosic resource that can significantly contribute to meeting 

30 percent of U.S. petroleum consumption from biomass 

sources by 2030 and help create a more stable energy future, 

improve environmental quality, and increase economic opportunities.

a national opportunity

Vision: America’s forest resources significantly contribute to U.S. energy security, economic development, and 

environmental quality. 

Our vision is that in 5 years, the United States will have:

• Wood-based energy and bioproducts that enhance 

the environment.

• Secure, sustainable, renewable energy sources.

• Strong rural economies.

Our Nation’s forests comprise a sustainable, strategic 

asset in achieving and enhancing U.S. energy security, 

economic opportunity, environmental quality, and global 

competitiveness. Woody biomass is a sustainable alternative feedstock for producing fuels and substitutes for fossil 

fuel-intensive products. Appropriately managing and transforming the Nation’s renewable and abundant forest biomass 

Ten-year-old, short-rotation loblolly pine. 

woody biomass is 

a sustainable

alternative 

feedstock

for producing fuels 

and substitutes for 

fossil fuel intensive 

products.
resources into cost-competitive, high-performance biofuels, 

bioproducts, and biopower can: 

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Move the Nation away from petroleum.

• Create domestic economic growth.

• Help create a more stable energy future.

• Improve environmental quality.

• Increase economic opportunities.

• Provide the benefits of actively managed forests in 

the landscape.

One of the greatest challenges facing forest managers in 

the United States on both public and private land is restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the health and productivity 

of forest systems. In many forests at risk of loss from fire, 

insect, or disease, this requires the removal of large quantities of small-diameter and low-quality wood that currently 

has little or no commercial value. Because this material has 

little commercial value in today’s markets, removing it often 

requires large expenditures with no, or minimal, current economic returns. As a result, far fewer acres are being treated 

than needed. Removal and use of biomass also provides associated benefits, such as improved ecosystem health, reduced 

wildfire fuels, improved wildlife habitat, and enhanced watershed protection on both public and private lands. Converting this material into energy and biobased products provides 

numerous benefits, including improved forest health and 

productivity and economic opportunities.

Active management to sustain the health, diversity, and 

productivity of the Nation’s forests provides local, regional, 

and national benefits. Goods, services, and values derived 

from actively managed forests include wood and nonwood 

products; jobs, businesses, and income; enhanced water and 

air quality, water supply, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities; and reduced fire and pest risk and loss. Improved 

economic value of the land as a result of active management 

can help offset urban footprints by keeping working lands 

working. 

Figure 1. Current Forest Service R&D bioenergy and biobased products research unit locations.
A sustainable, renewable bioenergy and biobased products sector is a growing source of green jobs in the U.S. 

economy. Research and development can create these jobs 

both in the short term, through research execution, and in 

the long term as results are demonstrated and deployed, and 

the economic sector develops.

R&D has a long history of providing results in the 

area of bioenergy and biobased products. Since the 1970s, 

significant accomplishments have been made in harvesting, genetics, silviculture, and conversion processes related 

to energy. R&D has a broad research program, developing 

the science and technology to sustainably produce forest 

feedstocks and significant amounts of biofuels and biobased 

products from forest resources. Our work, and that of our 

partners, spans the range of developing sustainable management and harvest/recovery systems for alternative resources; 

improving conversion and biorefinery technologies for cost, 

energy, and environmental efficiencies; developing innovative 

uses for wood and wood components; and improving the 

cost competitiveness of wood for energy. Figure 1 indicates where current R&D bioenergy and biobased products 

research activities are housed. R&D coordinates with other 

Forest Service deputy areas and actively partners with USDA 

agencies, other Federal departments and agencies, universities, nongovernmental groups, and industry. R&D supports 

related work through Agenda 20201

 and 

represents the United States on one International Energy Agency Task for biomass 

energy. 

1 http://agenda2020.org/.

planning context

This strategy document was developed in the context of a number of other 

planning activities, including the Forest Service’s 2007–2012 Strategic Plan 

(USDA Forest Service 2007); Forest 

Service research station strategic plans; the 

Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization Strategy; the Strategic Framework of 

Forest Products and Utilization Research 

and Development (USDA Forest Service 

2006); the USDA Strategic Plan for FY 

2005–2010; the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Strategic Energy Science Plan; interactions 

with the broad forestry R&D community, 

academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and 

other government agencies to consider critical research and 

development issues in this area. Additional input was obtained at a workshop to discuss research needed for forestbased biomass, bioenergy, and biobased products. Using all 

this information, a set of research priorities in three broad 

areas was developed to coordinate and guide R&D bioenergy and biobased products research and development activities for the next 5 to 10 years. The agency will endeavor to 

execute this program of research and development to redeem 

its responsibilities in meeting national and regional bioenergy 

and biobased product goals.

feedstock

production

&

management

utilization

&

products

harvest

&

delivery

bioenergy

&

biobased

products

Figure 2. Integrated Bioenergy and Biobased

Products Research Program.

Small-diameter woody biomass.

r&d has a 

long history of 

providing 

results

in the area of 

bioenergy and 

biobased products.
integrated approach

The R&D Biobased Products and Bioenergy research 

and development program integrates all aspects of sustainable production and management, harvest and delivery, and 

conversion and utilization research (figure 2), and spans 

the scale from molecular to global analysis. It considers the 

supply chain (figure 3) of forest bioenergy and bioproducts, 

with the goal of ensuring productive, sustainable, efficient, 

and affordable forest bioenergy systems and options. While 

our scientists generally do not work directly on distribution 

and end-use research, we do work collaboratively with other 

agencies and partners to ensure that our results are valuable 

in the supply chain context.

The work outlined in this strategy will build on a long 

history and significant body of research on long-term soil 

and forest productivity, genetics and tree breeding, silviculture, water quality, forest operations, wood products, wood 

structure and chemistry, microbiology, enzyme technology, 

chemical engineering, economics, assessments, inventory, 

and life-cycle analysis. Specific research will be targeted 

to fill critical gaps identified as this strategic direction is 

implemented. The R&D Bioenergy and Biobased Products 

research program takes an integrated approach in developing 

options, strategies, systems, and practices for the sustainable 

production of forest goods, services, and values. 

The creation of a sustainable bioindustry producing biofuels and bioproducts on a significant scale is critically dependent on having a large, sustainable supply of biomass with 

appropriate characteristics at a reasonable cost; cost-effective 

and efficient processes for converting wood to biofuels, 

chemicals, and other high-value products; and useful tools 

for decisionmaking and policy analysis. The R&D bioenergy 

and biobased products research program is focused on delivering value in these three areas.

goals

Goal 1: Provide the Nation with sustainable and economical forest biomass management and production 

systems. Capturing the potential of forest biomass resources 

will not happen without addressing some major challenges, 

such as developing a reliable and sustainable feedstock supply; understanding and quantifying land-use change and 

competition; and reducing costs for growing, recovering, 

and transporting feedstocks. Critical areas of research include 

(1) developing management and utilization options, systems, 

and practices so that landowners and land managers can 

effectively integrate biomass production into management 

Figure 3. Forest bioenergy and bioproduct supply chain.

(Adapted from the National Biofuels Action Plan http://www.usda.gov/documents/NBAP081208.pdf)

feedstock

production

feedstock

logistics

biofuels,

bioenergy &

bioproducts

production

biofuels,

bioenergy &

bioproducts

distribution

biofuels,

bioenergy &

bioproducts

end use

forest residues

hazardous fuel

treatments

short rotation

woody crops

wood waste

conventional

forestry

mill wastes & residues

harvest

collection

transportation

manufacturing

co-firing

heat & power

combustion

gasification

hydroloysis

digestion

pyrolysis

extraction

separation

mixing

bulk transport

district heating

conventional markets

specialty markets

transportation

fuels

chemicals

electricity

heat

other products
activities, and (2) developing the science and technology for 

short-rotation woody cropping systems—purpose-grown 

wood. Meeting this goal requires research in silviculture, 

genetics, genomics, physiology, soils, 

pest management, and forest operations 

research. It will build on a significant body 

of research, including long-term soil and 

forest productivity studies, genetics and 

tree breeding, water quality research, and 

forest operations research.

Products expected include: 

• Forestry best management practices 

for sustainable expanded biomass 

removal.

• New varieties of woody crops that 

are fast growing, high-yielding, 

pest-resistant, and water- and 

nutrient-use efficient.

• Synthesis of environmental outcomes of forest biomass production 

approaches. 

• Forest biomass management 

systems and technologies to offset impacts and 

enhance environmental outcomes. 

• Improved harvest, collection, handling, and 

transportation systems for woody biomass.

• Cost and equipment information and options for 

field processing to improve efficiency and mitigate 

impacts.

• Strategies to integrate forest systems into agricultural 

landscapes to provide services and income.

• Sustainable management and utilization systems that 

integrate bioenergy feedstock production with biomass and residue management, forest health and fuels 

reduction treatments, and production forestry.

Goal 2: Provide the Nation with competitive biofuels 

and biopower conversion technologies and bioproducts 

that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel 

use. Challenges exist in developing competitive technologies 

and processes that can reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of producing biofuels, products, and power. Efficiencies can be achieved through methods for increasing the 

yields derived from biochemical and thermochemical conversion of forest feedstocks, as well as developing new product 

capturing the

potential 

of forest 

biomass 

resources 

will not happen 

without addressing 

some major 

challenges. Biofuels pilot plant research facility.

Loading biomass chips for transport.
streams from this material. Critical areas of research include 

(1) developing wood-based biofuels, chemicals, and products 

that economically substitute for petroleum-based materials 

and (2) developing economically efficient biorefinery pathways and processes. This work will build on a long history 

of wood products research and partnerships with industry 

and academic institutions. It will include research in conversion processes, wood quality, advanced composites, advanced 

housing, wood chemistry and physics, microbiology, enzyme 

technology, chemical engineering, economics, and marketing. 

Products expected include: 

• Feedstock characteristic database, feedstock selection, 

sorting, and preprocessing technology optimized for 

various biofuels conversion technology platforms. 

• Integrated bioenergy and biofuels production processes to diversify product lines, expand markets, and 

provide value-added energy options for conventional 

wood-processing facilities.

• Research programs in developing green chemical 

products from forest biomass.

• Efficient biomass deconstruction techniques for 

chemical and fuels production through fermentation.

• Lignin characterization and value-added products 

from lignin.

• Increased fermentation rate, yield, and inhibitor tolerance of fermenting organisms.

• Quantification of the rate-limiting factors and biochemistry of five-carbon sugar transformation.

• Robust biorefining technologies that can utilize a 

variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks.

• Value-added chemicals and fuel from thermochemical 

platforms, including pyrolysis and gasification. 

Goal 3: Provide the Nation with information and tools 

for decisionmaking and policy analysis. Working with our 

partners, R&D provides information to analyze and inform 

policy and develops a variety of tools useful 

for on-the-ground decisionmaking by landowners and land managers. These information 

sources and data include national and regional 

assessments—such as the Resources Planning 

Act assessments and the Forest Inventory and 

Analysis data—that provide information on 

past and expected trends in markets, products, demand, supply, and forest productivity, 

harvest, condition, and distribution. Examples 

of recent products contributing to this goal 

include the Billion Ton Report(Perlack and 

others 2005), life-cycle analysis efforts such 

as CORRIM (Consortium for Research on 

Renewable Industrial Materials)2 (Bergman 

and Bowe 2008, Lippke and Edmonds 2006), 

MyFTP (My Fuel Treatment Planner)3, and 

FRCS (Fuel Reduction Cost Simulator)4. 

Products expected include:

• Higher resolution and consistent national and 

regional tools for more accurate assessment of 

forest bioenergy resources.

• Mapping products to identify potential sites for 

short-rotation woody energy crops.

• Models to assist with identification of opportunity 

zones and site selection for bioenergy facilities 

considering supply, transportation, water, and 

infrastructure.

• Sustainability criteria for forest bioenergy feedstocks.

• Life-cycle analysis and assessment tools for all aspects 

of forest bioenergy and bioproducts, including 

carbon and greenhouse gas accounting.

• Integrated models of future land use patterns, goods 

and services delivery, and markets as influenced by 

expanded bioenergy production. 

• Logistics and decision support tools to reduce costs 

of treatments involving biomass removal and improve 

harvest and transport efficiency.

2 http://www.corrim.org

3 My Fuel Treatment Planner, http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/data/myftp/myftp_home.htm

4 Fuel Reduction Cost Simulator,

http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/data/frcs/frcs_home.htm.

this work will 

build on a 

long history

of forestry 

and wood products 

research and 

partnerships with 

industry and academic 

institutions.

Hybrid poplar plantation.
our charge

Forest Service research stations and the Forest Products 

Laboratory will work collaboratively across organizational, 

political, and institutional boundaries to accomplish this 

program of research and deliver the needed outcomes. The 

Forest Service Bioenergy and Biobased Products R&D 

Program will work through outreach and partnerships with 

other Federal agencies, universities, and industry to help 

develop the next generation of specialists and researchers for 

bioenergy and biobased products.

R&D will provide science and technology to sustainably 

provide the quantities of wood needed for bioenergy and 

bioproducts, maintain and enhance forest health and 

productivity, reduce costs, and increase 

efficiency. Through research and development, America’s forest resources can significantly contribute to U.S. energy security, 

economic development, and environmental 

quality.

 Long-term soil productivity site on the Croatan National Forest in North Carolina.

through research and 

development, america’s 

forest resources

can 

significantly 

contribute to 

u.s. energy security, 

economic development, 

and environmental 

quality.

 Quantifying biomass harvest.
references

Bergman, R.D.; Bowe, S. A. 2008. Environmental impact 

of producing hardwood lumber using life-cycle 

inventory. Wood and Fiber Science. 40(3): 448–458.

Biomass Research and Development Board Technical 

Advisory Committee. 2006. Vision for Bioenergy 

and Biobased Products in the United States— 

Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future. 21 p. 

http://www.brdisolutions.com/default.aspx. (11 

September 2009).

Biofuels and Rural Economic Development, 74 Fed. Reg. 

21531-21532 (May 7, 2009). 

Kimbell, G. 2007. [Speech]. September 7. Climate Change, 

Kids, and Forests: What’s the Connection? Society 

of Environmental Journalists, Annual Conference, 

Stanford, CA. Forest Service Chief. 

http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2007/speeches/09/

climate.shtml. (11 September 2009).

Lippke, B.; Edmonds, L. 2006. Environmental performance 

improvements in residential construction: The 

impact of products, biofuels, and processes. 

Forest Products Journal. 56(10):58–63.

Obama, B. 2009. [Speech]. February 24. Address to Joint 

Session of Congress. Washington, DC. President of 

the United States. 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ 

remarks-of-president-barack-obama-address-tojoint-session-of-congress/. (11 September 2009).

Perlack, R.D.; Wright, L.L.; Turhollow, A.F.; Graham, R.L.; 

Stokes, B.J.; Erbach, D.C. 2005. Biomass as feedstock for a bioenergy and bioproducts industry: the 

technical feasibility of a billion-ton annual supply. 

(DOE/GO-102005-2135, Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 2005). 59 p. 

http://feedstockreview.ornl.gov/pdf/billion_ton_

vision.pdf. (11 September 2009).

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2006. Strategic Plan for FY 

2005-2010. 45 p. http://www.ocfo.usda.gov/ 

usdasp/sp2005/sp2005.pdf. (11 September 2009).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2006. 

Strategic Framework of Forest Products and 

Utilization Research and Development (FPURD). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 

February 2006. 29 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2007. 

USDA Forest Service Strategic Plan FY 2007–2012. 

FS-880. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service. 32 p. 

http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/strategic/ 

fs-sp-fy07-12.pdf. (11 September 2009).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2008. 

Woody Biomass Utilization Strategy. FS-899. 

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service. 17 p. http://www.fs.fed.us/ 

woodybiomass/strategy/documents/FS_ 

WoodyBiomassStrategy.pdf. (11 September 2009).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research, Education 

and Economics Mission Area. 2008. Strategic 

Energy Science Plan for Research, Education, and 

Extension. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Research, Education and Economics. 13 p. http://www.ree.usda.gov/news/bead/

USDA_REE_strat_plan.pdf. (11 September 2009).

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United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

FS-940

March 2010