Degree Name
Master of Science
Department or Program
Agribusiness Economics
Advisor
Secchi, Silvia
Abstract
The general objective of this research is to analyze different land use scenarios in a specific floodplain region of Illinois that utilizes levees in district setting. The specific objective for this research is as follows: 1) Analyze the current land use of the levee district overtime based on current crop production and farm practices. 2) Analyze alternative land use based on energy crops such as switchgrass.
In this study we will attempt to estimate the potential biomass supply of levees in ten counties of Illinois State. We will focus on studying fifty two levee districts that are adjacent to the Illinois River. The levees are spread to ten counties in the state of Illinois. The data this paper uses is geospatial data to measure the amount of production potential of switchgrass in levee districts.