Abstract
Dutch riverine areas are managed intensively to ensure the provision of various ecosystem services. Vegetation management, including pruning and mowing, produces a woody and grassy biomass as a by-product. In the past, this residual biomass has been treated as a waste product. Now there is a change of perspective; biomass is valued as a potential additional ecosystem service instead of a waste product. In this study, we explore the transition from waste to ecosystem service of residual biomass in Dutch water management organisations. We found several trends in the organisation of biomass use. There is a development away from the traditional approach of choosing the cheapest or easiest way to get rid of biomass towards exploring various uses of biomass that fulfil additional, societally relevant, functions. This trend alters the organisation of vegetation management and subsequent biomass use. Selection based on sustainable biomass uses is gaining importance, and there is a growing desire within public organisations to be able to steer towards sustainable use of residual biomass. However, there is a lack of applicable, objective ranking instruments.
Highlights
In recent years, the use of biomass for various applications, such as energy and materials, has received increasing attention
The residual biomass produced by vegetation management has been treated as a waste product, but there is a change of perspective away from regarding it as waste towards valuing it as a potential additional ecosystem service
We described how water management organisations organise the use of residual biomass, a by-product of their vegetation management activities, and what their expectations are regarding its use in the future
Summary
The use of biomass for various applications, such as energy and materials, has received increasing attention. For example, of roadside vegetation, municipal green and river floodplains, produces biomass as a by-product that can serve as input for the production of bio-energy and bio-based products. The residual biomass produced by vegetation management has been treated as a waste product, but there is a change of perspective away from regarding it as waste towards valuing it as a potential additional ecosystem service. Vegetation released during landscape management of public properties is a potentially important source of residual biomass. A Dutch study on the biomass potential for gas production estimates the amount of residual biomass released during landscape management in the Netherlands (including woody landscape biomass, natural grass and roadside vegetation) at about 2 Mton DM. Natural grass is sometimes applied as fodder, but most landscape residues are treated in composting installations [19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
