Open AccessLand‐use change to bioenergy production in E urope: implications for the greenhouse gas balance and soil carbon
Author(s) -
Don Axel,
Osborne Bruce,
Hastings Astley,
Skiba Ute,
Carter Mette S.,
Drewer Julia,
Flessa Heinz,
Freibauer Annette,
Hyvönen Niina,
Jones Mike B.,
Lanigan Gary J.,
Mander Ülo,
Monti Andrea,
Djomo Sylvestre Njakou,
Valentine John,
Walter Katja,
ZegadaLizarazu Walter,
Ze Terenzio
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
gcb bioenergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.378
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1757-1707
pISSN - 1757-1693
DOI - 10.1111/j.1757-1707.2011.01116.x
Subject(s) - short rotation coppice , bioenergy , greenhouse gas , environmental science , energy crop , soil carbon , biomass (ecology) , land use, land use change and forestry , short rotation forestry , agronomy , agroforestry , energy balance , fossil fuel , carbon footprint , biofuel , agriculture , soil water , ecology , biology , soil science
Bioenergy from crops is expected to make a considerable contribution to climate change mitigation. However, bioenergy is not necessarily carbon neutral because emissions of CO 2 , N 2 O and CH 4 during crop production may reduce or completely counterbalance CO 2 savings of the substituted fossil fuels. These greenhouse gases ( GHG s) need to be included into the carbon footprint calculation of different bioenergy crops under a range of soil conditions and management practices. This review compiles existing knowledge on agronomic and environmental constraints and GHG balances of the major E uropean bioenergy crops, although it focuses on dedicated perennial crops such as M iscanthus and short rotation coppice species. Such second‐generation crops account for only 3% of the current E uropean bioenergy production, but field data suggest they emit 40% to >99% less N 2 O than conventional annual crops. This is a result of lower fertilizer requirements as well as a higher N‐use efficiency, due to effective N‐recycling. Perennial energy crops have the potential to sequester additional carbon in soil biomass if established on former cropland (0.44 Mg soil C ha −1 yr −1 for poplar and willow and 0.66 Mg soil C ha −1 yr −1 for M iscanthus ). However, there was no positive or even negative effects on the C balance if energy crops are established on former grassland. Increased bioenergy production may also result in direct and indirect land‐use changes with potential high C losses when native vegetation is converted to annual crops. Although dedicated perennial energy crops have a high potential to improve the GHG balance of bioenergy production, several agronomic and economic constraints still have to be overcome.