ABSTRACT
To optimize woody biomass, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, and other woody parts, grown in a forest, woodland, or rangeland environment and to achieve more efficient processing we must understand plants and plant cell-wall structure and function. The plant kingdom ranks second in importance only to the animal kingdom (at least from the human point of view). The importance of plants and plant communities to humans, bioenergy production, and their environment cannot be overstated. Some of the important things plants provide are listed below:
• Aesthetics-Plants add to the beauty of the places where we live. • Medicine-80% of all medicinal drugs originate in wild plants. • Food-90% of the world’s food comes from only 20 plant species. • Industrial products-Plants are very important for the goods they provide (e.g.,
fibers for clothing, wood to build homes). • Recreation-Plants form the basis for many important recreational activities,
including fishing, nature observation, hiking, and hunting. • Air quality-The oxygen in the air we breathe comes from the photosynthesis of
plants. • Water quality-Plants aid in maintaining healthy watersheds, streams, and lakes
by holding soil in place, controlling stream flows, and filtering sediments from water.
