Sustainable utilisation of forest biomass for energy—Possibilities and problems: Policy, legislation, certification, and recommendations and guidelines in the Nordic, Baltic, and other European countries

Stupak, Inge; Asikainen, Antti; Jonsell, Mats; Karltun, Erik; Lunnan, Anders; Mizaraitė, D.; Pasanen, Karri; Pärn, Henn; Raulund‐Rasmussen, Karsten; Röser, Dominik; Schroeder, Martin; Varnagiryte, I.; Vilkriste, Lelde; Callesen, Ingeborg; Clarke, Nicholas; Gaitnieks, T.; Ingerslev, Morten; Mandre, Malle; Ozolinčius, Remigijus; Saarsalmi, Anna; Armolaitis, Kęstutis; Helmisaari, Heljä‐Sisko; Indriksons, Aigars; Kairiūkštis, L.; Katzensteiner, Klaus; Kukkola, Anna; Ots, Katri; Ravn, Hans Peter; Tamminen, Pekka

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2007.06.012

Cited by 212 publications

(125 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…An example is the case of forest energy wood where the loss of nutrients could be problematic [53]. Even though this has been accounted for in the literature regarding the forest biomass assessment [34], fear of nutrient losses may keep forest owners from selling energy wood, as shown in a Swedish study [54].…”

Section: Environmental Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioenergy in Switzerland: Assessing the domestic sustainable biomass potential

Steubing

Zah

Waeger

et al. 2010

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

107

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Section: Environmental Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioenergy in Switzerland: Assessing the domestic sustainable biomass potential

Steubing

Zah

Waeger

et al. 2010

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

107

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“…For example, one guideline urges managers to "avoid biomass harvesting (over and above bolewood utilization) on: ombrotrophic soils deeper than 24 inches and aspen or hardwood cover types on shallow soils (8 inches or less) over bedrock" (MFRC 2007). (Guidelines or best management practices [BMPs] also exist for Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and are under development for Maine: see Evans 2008; see also reviews of European policies and guidelines in Stupak et al 2007 and2008a). A number of research trials on various forest types grown in different soils show that impacts on soil physical and chemical properties can vary significantly from site to site (e.g., Smith et al 1986, Federer et al 1989, Briggs et al 2000, McLaughlin and Phillips 2006, and even from tree species to tree species (Hacker 2008).…”

Section: Guidelines and Best Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping with complexity: Designing low-impact forest bioenergy systems using an adaptive forest management framework and other sustainable forest management tools

Lattimore¹,

Smith²,

Richardson³

2010

The Forestry Chronicle

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Forest fuel production is a growing industry in Canada and elsewhere, as governments strive to increase energy security and find alternatives to the use of fossil fuels. While forest bioenergy can provide environmental benefits such as renewability and carbon emissions reductions, the industry can also pose environmental risks through increasing pressure on forest resources. Because large-scale forest bioenergy production is relatively new to Canada, much is still unknown about how such an industry might evolve and impact forest ecosystems. These unknowns, along with the cross-sectoral, multistakeholder nature of the industry, make planning for sustainable forest bioenergy systems quite challenging. In this paper, we introduce some of the challenges to creating sustainable systems, and we discuss how sustainable forest management frameworks like Adaptive Forest Management and Sustainable Forest Management Certification can help to meet these challenges. We also discuss the importance of technology transfer to ensuring that the best available knowledge forms the basis for effective standards and management plans. Sustainable forest management frameworks can help to organize, distil and communicate the growing body of research on forest bioenergy production, link policy to practice through the creation of standards, and incorporate provisions for continual learning and system adaptation, all of which are key to the long-term sustainability of the rapidly evolving forest bioenergy sector.Key words: bioenergy, sustainable forest management frameworks, adaptive forest management, certification, standards, technology transfer RÉSUMÉ La production de carburant à partir des forêts constitue une industrie en croissance au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde, étant donné que les gouvernements cherchent à accroître le niveau de sécurité énergétique et à trouver des alternatives à l'utilisation des combustibles fossiles. Même si la bioénergie forestière peut comporter des bénéfices environnementaux du fait qu' elle est renouvelable et qu' elle peut réduire les émissions de carbone, l'industrie peut également engendrer des risques environnementaux suite à l'accroissement de la pression sur les ressources forestières. Compte tenu que la production à grande échelle de bioénergie forestière demeure une chose relativement nouvelle au Canada, il y a beaucoup d'inconnues entourant l' évolution de cette industrie et sur ce que seront ses impacts sur les écosystèmes forestiers. Ces inconnues, en plus de la nature intersectorielle et multi-intervenants de l'industrie, font en sorte que la planification des systèmes durables de bioénergie forestière représente tout un défi. Dans cet article, nous introduisons certains des défis reliés à la création de systèmes durables et nous discutons de la façon selon laquelle les cadres de référence d'aménage-ment forestier durable comme l'aménagement forestier adaptatif et la certification de l'aménagement forestier durable peuvent aider à relever ces défis. Nous discutons également de l'imp...

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“…Of the wood ash, about 18% and 5% is utilized in forest fertilization in Finland and Sweden, respectively (Stupak et al 2007). In Finnish private forests, the annual ash fertilization area is about 300 ha, while the corresponding area in forest industry and state forests (Metsähallitus) is 1400 ha (Makkonen 2008).…”

Section: Increased Wood-ash Recycling (Mineral Fertilization)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased biomass harvesting for bioenergy

Framstad¹,

Berglund²,

Gundersen³

et al. 2009

TemaNord

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Increased biomass harvesting for bioenergy Nordic co-operationNordic cooperation is one of the world's most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and three autonomous areas: the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.Nordic cooperation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe.Nordic cooperation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. The current supply of renewable bioenergy in Finland, Norway, and Sweden is equivalent to 83 TWh, 15 TWh, and 104 TWh, respectively, of which more than 90% comes from the forest sector. Assessments for total supplies of bioenergy by 2020 vary but are in the order of 126 TWh, 34 TWh, and 151 TWh for Finland, Norway and Sweden, respectively. Many biomass harvesting options exist but they are not all equally likely in the Nordic countries. Based on various public recommendations and the current debate on the use of biomass, the following options need to be considered from forests, farmland and mires and wetlands. Increased harvesting of logging residues, stumps, trees from tending and thinning of young forest, and non-standard wood from current logging areas, especially from forestry districts near roads and facilities for effective use of the biomass resources (e.g., heating plants, industrial facilities).  Increased intensity of forest cultivation activities, such as building of forest roads, soil preparation, nitrogen fertilization, planting, various thinning regimes, use of high-yield varieties or species, and shorter rotation time, on current logging areas.  Increased harvesting of woody residues from clearing of power line corridors and along roads where effective transportation to facilities for use of the biomass is possible.  Increased harvesting from currently non-commercial forest as well as increased afforestation may be relevant under suitable economical constraints, especially in Norway.  Increased cultivation of energy crops on arable land, such as grains, oilseed crops, and grasses, primarily in Finland and Sweden. Increased biomass harvesting for bioenergy 10 Increased short rotation forestry with willows and poplars on farmland, primarily in Finland and Sweden.  Increased harvesting of wood resources from marginal agricultural land, field edges etc, to a limited extent where the biomass can be exploited locally.  Biomass harvesting from mires and wetlands may primarily be in the form of harvesting of Sphagnum and canary reed grass on former peat mining areas and harvesting reed in shallow water bodies, mainly in Finland.The following biomass harvesting measures will in most cases be acceptable or have only minor negative effects: Harvesting of logging residues, including trees from tending of young forest and thinning, seems to be among the more acceptable forms of biomass harvesting. It will probably ha...

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Sustainable utilisation of forest biomass for energy—Possibilities and problems: Policy, legislation, certification, and recommendations and guidelines in the Nordic, Baltic, and other European countries

Cited by 212 publications

References 14 publications

Bioenergy in Switzerland: Assessing the domestic sustainable biomass potential

Bioenergy in Switzerland: Assessing the domestic sustainable biomass potential

Coping with complexity: Designing low-impact forest bioenergy systems using an adaptive forest management framework and other sustainable forest management tools

Increased biomass harvesting for bioenergy

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