Willow short-rotation coppice in multiple land-use systems: evaluation of four combination options in the Dutch context

Abstract

Introduction of energy crops in multiple land use may be an opportunity to increase the overall land-use efficiency, improve energy crop competitiveness and enhance its introduction in regions with intensive land-use, such as Northwest Europe. In this study, we evaluated the opportunities for energy crops in multiple land-use on three criteria: combinations should be biophysically feasible, they should have a positive effect on energy crop financial competitiveness, and their potential area should be significant. We studied four land-use combination options for willow short-rotation coppice in The Netherlands: with groundwater quality protection, drinking water production, conservation of traditional willow coppice flora and fauna, and use as an ecological corridor. Biophysically, almost all combination options studied are feasible, although some have sub-optimal willow yields. Two out of four of these options had a significant positive effect on energy crop competitiveness, but calculations contain major uncertainties. The potential area of these two may be significant to the Dutch renewable energy targets. The results imply that multiple land-use improves opportunities for energy crops in The Netherlands, but it will not be a panacea for large-scale introduction.