Estimation of Spatial Distribution on Wood Biomass Supply Potential for Three Prefectures in the Northern Tohoku Region

Abstract

Wood biomass supply was estimated using spatial distribution of managed forest areas and timber and chip industries with a road network system. The estimation was based on the town level in the Aomori, Iwate and Akita prefectures. Wood biomass from timber and woodchip remains is commonly used in Japan for bio-fuel purpose, while that from remains of silvicultural activity such as harvesting and thinning is not often used due to high logging cost. We primarily specified the area and distance of harvesting and transportation to collect wood biomass. The area was set at 500m from roads, and the transportation distances were 25km, 50km, 75km, and 100km from the starting point, which was city hall. The wood biomass supply was then calculated based upon management activities and tree species. Our results indicate that the wood biomass was more likely to be collected from chip industries in the Iwate and Aomori prefectures and from plywood industries in the Akita prefecture. High potential of wood biomass supply was found in Sannohe, Nanbu, Ichinohe, Kunohe, Kamikoani, and Kitaakita towns at 50km of transportation distance. Conflict for collecting wood biomass was also revealed among Sannohe, Nanbu, Ichinohe, and Kunohe towns.