Multifunctional Perennial
Cropping Systems for USRW
Sarah Taylor Lovell, Assistant Professor
Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois
Landscape Multifunctionality offers
a framework for sustainable design
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Landscapes that integrate
ecological, cultural, and
production functions,
considering the site-specific
context and needs of the users
LANDSCAPE
PERFORMANCE
Production Functions
Ecological Functions
Cultural Functions
Landscape Multifunctionality offers
a framework for sustainable design
Production Functions
Ecological Functions
Cultural Functions
•Fresh food, herbs
•Food for processing
•Medicinal products
•Fuel incl. biomass
•Feed for livestock
•Fiber in many forms
•Others – cut flowers
•Biodiversity
•Nutrient cycling
•Microclimate control
•Water quality
•Carbon sequestration
•Soil conservation
•Water storage
•Recreation
•Visual Quality
•Artistic Expression
•Education
•Historic Preservation
•Ethnic reflection
•Cultural heritage
Perennial cropping systems offer
a multifunctional alternative
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Production functions: timber, fruits/nuts, biomass
Ecological functions: biodiversity conservation,
wildlife habitat, water quality, carbon storage
Cultural functions: recreation, aesthetics, education
Watershed Scale
Multifunctional Landscape
Example:
Upper Sangamon River Watershed
Perennial cropping systems offer
an opportunity to improve water
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-076-02/
Sangamon River/Lake Decatur
Watershed TMDL Report, 2007
Illinois EPA
USRW represents a typical Midwest
landscape dominated by row crops
Consider land use and farmer adoption
behaviors, preferences, attitudes
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Farm and farmer demographics, including
cropping diversity and land use
Importance of functions (ecosystem services)
Potential for perennial multifunctional landscape
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Types of crops, markets, incentives, etc.
Lease arrangements to support perennials
How do we find the early adopters/innovators?
Producers and consumers of alternative
products can be mapped and networked
Subwatershed Scale
Multifunctional Landscape
Example:
Big/Long Creek Watershed
Big/Long Creek Subwatershed
feeds directly into Lake Decatur
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Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) implementation plan
developed in August 2014
Impairment: Total Phosphorus
(P), Total Suspended Solids
(TSS), Nitrate-N
Proximity to municipal
markets for food, fuel, etc.
Mapping “opportunity lands” will
identify targets for transformation

Opportunity lands can be identified using GIS
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Erodible land
Poor soils
Riparian buffer zones
Floodplain and wetland areas
Small isolated fields
16
Farm/Parcel Scale
Multifunctional Landscape
Example:
Clarkson and Bell Properties
Bell Farm
~27 acres
Clarkson Farm
70 acres
Where are the best locations to
integrate perennial crops?

Target lands that are not optimal for annual
production systems >> “opportunity lands”
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Small fields, wet areas, buffer zones, sloped fields
Identify crops that would provide additional
value for the farmer and support a local economy
Site specific solutions can focus
on reducing surface runoff….
…or addressing subsurface flow
Multifunctional landscapes with
continuous cover should be
designed with the farmer in mind
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Perennial biomass for energy
Perennial forages for livestock
Agroforestry Systems
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Trees and shrubs for fruit/nut products
Trees for timber products
Shrubs for floral cuttings
Scattered trees to shade livestock
Windbreaks and buffers for ecosystem health
Bell Farm ~27acres
Clarkson Farm 70 acres
Landscape designs help farmers to
envision alternative solutions and
ultimately support future adoption
Graphic by Paul Littleton
Multifunctional Buffer treatments
compare site-scale solutions
1. Control: Corn-soybean rotation
2. Cover Crop Control: Corn(mustard/radish) –Soybean(rye) rotation
3. Monoculture forage crop: Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus)
4. Polyculture forage crop: Virginia wildrye + purple prairie clover +
leafy prairie clover
5. Monoculture bioenergy crop: Switchgrass ‘Kanlow’
6. Polyculture bioenergy crop: Switchgrass + big bluestem +
Indiangrass + Prairie Cordgrass
7. Monoculture edible: Red Currant
8. Polyculture edible: Red currant + Aronia + Elderberry
9. Monoculture floral: Pussy willow
10.Polyculture floral: Pussy willow + Red osier dogwood + Snowberry
Multifunctional Buffer treatments
compare site-scale solutions
Prime Farmland
Hilly Farmland
Urban Fringe
IMAGINE
Perennial Cover across
a Multifunctional
Landscape