International bioenergy synthesis—Lessons learned and opportunities for the western United States

Nicholls, David; Dykstra, Dennis P.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2008.11.035

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In this context, forest ecosystems are often seen as potential providers of plant biomass. The approaches commonly chosen by forest managers to increase the harvest of woody biomass are dedicated short rotation stands or collecting the tree compartments not harvested in conventional stands (Nicholls et al, 2009). These newly harvested compartments are belowground biomass or harvest residues from aboveground biomass.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managedPinus pinaster(Ait.) planted forest

Augusto¹,

Achat

Bakker

et al. 2014

GCB Bioenergy

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To develop sources of renewable energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing attention has been given to the extraction of forest biomass, especially in the form of harvest residues. However, increasing the removal of biomass, and hence nutrients, has raised concerns about the sustainability of site fertility and forest productivity. The environmental cost of harvesting belowground biomass is still not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the stocks of belowground biomass that potentially can be collected; (ii) measure the nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations of the different root compartments (stumps, coarse and thin roots); and to (iii) quantify the biomass and nutrient exports under different scenarios, including harvests of above and belowground compartments. The study was carried out on Pinus pinaster stands located in southwestern France. Results showed that roots could be a significant fuelwood resource, particularly at forest clear cutting. Negative relationships between root diameter and root nutrient concentration were observed, independently of root function or tree age. Such relationships can be used to accurately simulate nutrient concentrations in roots as well as nutrient exports. Combining our original results on roots with previously published data on the aboveground compartments showed that nutrient losses were higher in canopy harvest scenarios than in root harvest scenarios. This was mainly due to high nutrient concentrations of needles. We concluded that stump and root harvest could be sustainable in our study context, conversely to foliage harvest. Because thin roots have higher nutrient concentrations than coarse roots and the proportion of thin roots increased with an increase in the distance from the tree, collecting roots only in the close vicinity of the stumps should limit nutrient exports (particularly N) without unnecessarily reducing fuelwood biomass.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managedPinus pinaster(Ait.) planted forest

Augusto¹,

Achat

Bakker

et al. 2014

GCB Bioenergy

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“…Consequently, many international organizations and national and regional governments are implementing policies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (mainly CO 2 ; EC, 2000), which are responsible for global warming. Several countries, including some European countries and Brazil, have already introduced successful policies to promote the use of biomass for energy production in order to reduce their CO 2 production (Nicholls et al , 2009). In forests, the biomass used for the production of energy mainly concerns short‐rotation stands or the use of small stems, branches, twigs, stumps and harvest residues from conventional stands (Nicholls et al , 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several countries, including some European countries and Brazil, have already introduced successful policies to promote the use of biomass for energy production in order to reduce their CO 2 production (Nicholls et al , 2009). In forests, the biomass used for the production of energy mainly concerns short‐rotation stands or the use of small stems, branches, twigs, stumps and harvest residues from conventional stands (Nicholls et al , 2009). Although such wood components represent only a small percentage of the tree aerial biomass, they contain a large proportion of the tree nutrient content (Merino et al , 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is ‘grey literature’ a reliable source of data to characterize soils at the scale of a region? A case study in a maritime pine forest in southwestern France

Augusto¹,

Bakker

Morel³

et al. 2010

European J Soil Science

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L . A u g u s t o a , M . R . B a k k e r b , C . M o r e l a , C . M e r e d i e u c , P . T r i c h e t d , V . B a d e a u e,f , D . A r r o u a y s g , C . P l a s s a r d h , D . L . A c h a t b , SummarySoil scientists are receiving increasing numbers of requests for expert advice on soil over large areas, but at a high resolution. We tested the use of the soil data contained in sources of information that are not directly accessible (referred to as 'grey' data) to accomplish this task. We collected grey data about a pine forest, which is currently the subject of drastic, and questionable, changes in management, including a rapid rate of biomass removal. These grey data (from 266 sites) were compared with soil data obtained directly from our field sampling (83 sites). Our comparisons showed that the two sources of data were consistent when the variables concerned had been sampled and analysed by using methods shared by the soil scientists such as particle-size distribution. Conversely, significant discrepancies appeared for variables for which different methods existed, such as for CEC. For the latter, using corrective equations gave contrasting results, depending on the soil variable. The final database was used to characterize the soils of the study region. Results showed that soils of the study region (mainly sandy podzols and arenosols) were acidic and particularly oligotrophic. Several important properties (CEC, phosphorus cycling, pH, bulk density) were related to the organic fraction or carbon (C) content of soils. For instance, CEC values were linearly and exclusively dependent on C content. The most oligotrophic sites of the study region were clearly not suitable for the new intensive management of the forest in the long term. For the other sites, the question remains open because some specific data are still needed before drawing conclusions. We conclude that as a complement to conventional soil studies, the grey literature is a useful source of data and information to characterize soils at a regional scale.

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“…Globally, bioenergy from biomass for heat, electricity and liquid fuels accounts for 14% of the total energy consumption (Nicholls et al, 2009;Vamvouka, 2009). One recent report predicts an increase in the global demand for biomass at a compounded annual rate of 9% by 2020 (Pfeifer, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass assessment for sustainable bioenergy utilization in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem in northwest Greece

Manolis

Zagas

Poravou

et al. 2016

Ecological Engineering

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International bioenergy synthesis—Lessons learned and opportunities for the western United States

Cited by 21 publications

References 42 publications

Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managedPinus pinaster(Ait.) planted forest

Biomass and nutrients in tree root systems–sustainable harvesting of an intensively managedPinus pinaster(Ait.) planted forest

Is ‘grey literature’ a reliable source of data to characterize soils at the scale of a region? A case study in a maritime pine forest in southwestern France

Biomass assessment for sustainable bioenergy utilization in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem in northwest Greece

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