Synthesizing the Green Value Chain: A Systematic Review of Vetiver Bioengineering, Coastal Entrepreneurship, and Consumer Valuation in the U.S. Green Economy

Abstract

The accelerating trajectory of climate change, characterized by rising sea levels, intensifying precipitation events, and coastal erosion, has exposed the critical vulnerabilities of traditional "gray" infrastructure in the United States. While the paradigm shift toward Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) offers a promising pathway for resilience, the commercial and operational integration of these technologies remains fragmented. This research paper presents an exhaustive systematic review of the "Green Value Chain" a conceptual framework linking the biotechnical engineering performance of the Vetiver System (VS), the emerging business models of coastal entrepreneurship, and the socio-economic dynamics of consumer valuation. Focusing specifically on the sterile, non-invasive 'Sunshine' genotype of Chrysopogon zizanioides, the analysis synthesizes geotechnical data confirming Vetiver’s capacity to increase soil shear strength by 30–40% and stabilize slopes in high-plasticity clays. Economically, the review establishes that while green infrastructure often entails higher initial stewardship costs compared to the "build-and-forget" model of gray infrastructure, it delivers superior benefit-cost ratios over decadal lifecycles through avoided capital replacement and ecosystem service generation. However, the market penetration of Vetiver bioengineering is severely constrained by "aesthetic friction"—a deep-seated consumer preference for manicured landscapes and hardened shorelines, driven by social norms and risk misperceptions. By integrating findings from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies, coastal homeowner surveys, and bioengineering field trials, this paper proposes a "Nurse Crop Succession" framework. This model positions Vetiver not as a climax monoculture but as a temporary biological scaffold that facilitates the establishment of native dune and riparian ecosystems, thereby reconciling immediate engineering requirements with long-term ecological restoration goals. The findings suggest that unlocking the U.S. green economy requires a tripartite evolution: the standardization of bio-technical certification to unlock FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) incentives, the maturation of "Resilience-as-a-Service" business models, and a targeted cultural shift in how coastal protection is visualized and valued.