Assessing Washington State Landowners\u27 Interest and Concerns Regarding Growing Bioenergy Crops

Bioenergy industries will depend, in part, on interested and informed landowners who are willing to grow bioenergy crops. We surveyed landowners in Washington State to gain insight into their knowledge and interest regarding bioenergy crops and the importance of various cropping decision factors. The majority of landowners surveyed were not familiar with bioenergy crops and/or were unlikely to grow them. They indicated that profit, soil and land preservation, and water quality are all important factors to consider when making cropping decisions. Our results provide Extension professionals with an enhanced understanding of perceived challenges and advantages related to growing bioenergy crops

Quantity does not always mean quality: the importance of qualitative social science in conservation research

Qualitative methods are important in gaining a deep understanding of complex problems and poorly researched areas. They can be particularly useful to help explain underlying conservation problems, as in Rust et al. (2016). However, the significance in choosing and justifying appropriate methodological frameworks in conservation studies should be given more attention to ensure data are collected and analysed appropriately. We thank Potgieter et al. (2017) for their critical analysis of Rust et al. (2016), but they appear unaware of when, why and how such methods should be used. We clarify the methods described in Rust et al. (2016) and explain sampling strategies in qualitative studies. To improve familiarity with qualitative methods among natural scientists we recommend expanded training in social sciences and collaborating with social scientists. Given the scale of human impacts on the environment, this type of nuanced analytical skill is critical for moving conservation forward

Washington State landowner data on cropping decision factors and perceptions of bioenergy crops

This article contains survey data on Washington State landowner perceptions of bioenergy crops. The survey data includes responses on interest in growing bioenergy crops, likelihood of growing bioenergy crops, and willingness to grow hybrid poplar specifically for bioenergy. Additional responses concern challenges to growing hybrid poplar for bioenergy and preferences for growing hybrid poplar versus other bioenergy crops. The data contains on farm information, landowner demographics, current crops and cropping decisions, and perceptions of perennial crops as well. Responses were collected from 156 randomly sampled landowners with land appropriate for growing hybrid poplar trees without irrigation