Potential Value of Autumn Olive as a Tool to Restore Degraded Soils

Autumn Olive is a fast-growing, invasive shrub that is capable of fixing, or producing, its own nitrogen. Because Autumn Olive can naturally add nitrogen to the soil, it may be able to restore degraded soils. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the potential of Autumn Olive to indirectly contribute biomass for cellulosic ethanol, increase soil organic carbon, and provide nitrogen to neighboring plants.