Open AccessBiomass production potential from P opulus short rotation systems in R omania
Author(s) -
Werner Christian,
Haas Edwin,
Grote Rüdiger,
Gauder Martin,
GraeffHönninger Simone,
Claupein Wilhelm,
ButterbachBahl Klaus
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.1757-1707.2012.01180.x
Subject(s) - arable land , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , short rotation forestry , bioenergy , short rotation coppice , coppicing , productivity , agronomy , agricultural land , agroforestry , agriculture , forestry , biofuel , woody plant , ecology , geography , biology , economics , macroeconomics
The aim of this study was to assess the potential of biomass production by short rotation poplar in Romania without constraining agricultural food production. Located in the eastern part of E urope, R omania provides substantial land resources suitable for bioenergy production. The process‐oriented biogeochemical model L andscape DNDC was used in conjunction with the forest‐growth model PSIM to simulate the yield of poplar grown in short‐rotation coppice at different sites in R omania. The model was validated on five sites with different climatic conditions in C entral E urope. Using regional site conditions, with climatic parameters and organic carbon content in soil being the most important, the biomass production potential of poplar plantations was simulated for agricultural areas across R omania. Results indicated a mean productivity of 12.2 ± 0.5 t ha −1 year −1 of poplar coppices on arable land in R omania. The highest yields were simulated for lowland areas in the south‐east and west and for the M ures valley, whereas the lowest yields – due to either temperature or water limitations – were found for the mountainous regions, the D anube valley, and the region west of B ucharest. The amount of abandoned arable land in the past 10 years indicates that around 10% of cropping land in production in 1999 (approximately 1 million ha) is available for bioenergy production systems today. Production of poplar grown in short‐rotation coppices on these areas would result in a yield of approximately 10 million tons of wood per year. The energy that can be generated by conversion of poplar short rotation coppice biomass may contribute up to approximately 8% of the national energy demand if these set‐aside areas are used for lignocellulosic bioenergy.