ABSTRACT
Despite the uncertainties, the size of this resource base is important for decisions to be made by governments and industrial organizations. If the biomass resource base were barely sufficient for food and fiber production, it would be improper to divert some of this precious resource to fuel and chemical use. On the other hand, if the resource base is likely to be underutilized and low prices are likely to prevail because of farm surpluses, an additional set of major uses could strengthen the entire biomass system.
