Energy Wood Production Research Articles

What is the future of the ecosystem services of the Alpine forest against a backdrop of climate change?

Mountain forests produce a large number of ecosystem services that are going to be affected by climate change. We are expecting an increase in high altitude species that could result in the decrease in resinous and subalpine species. These changes in species could adversely affect biodiversity and timber production. However, we also observe an increase in productivity that favours the production of energy wood and, at least temporarily, timber, as well as carbon storage. Given the possible rise in extreme climatic events, changes in vegetation could be marked by periods of decline, which will be very detrimental to the economic system, protection against natural hazards and biodiversity. Climate change will also have an indirect effect on the forest by increasing the demand for renewable energy and carbon storage. There is a lot of uncertainty about vegetation change predictions and this makes it difficult to define forest management adaptation strategies. Effective crisis management, monitoring of natural transformations of the forest based on the interaction between research and management (adaptive management) and the explicit factoring in of the concept of uncertainty appear to be essential to the maintenance of the ecosystem services provided by the forest.

Potential Energy Wood Production with Implications to Timber Recovery and Carbon Stocks Under Varying Thinning and Climate Scenarios in Finland

An ecosystem model (Sima) was used to investigate the impact of climate and varying thinning regimes concurrently on energy wood and timber production as well as on growth and carbon stocks during 2010–2099 in southern (below 64° N) and northern (above 64° N) Finland. The analysis was carried out using sample plots from the ninth National Forest Inventory. According to the results, both energy wood and timber production increased under the changing climate, with this effect being found to be higher in northern compared to southern Finland. In relative terms, the effect of forest structure, however, was more pronounced than that of climate, especially in southern Finland. Increased basal area thinning thresholds enhanced carbon stocks compared with current thinning regime. In addition, increased thinning thresholds enhanced concurrently energy wood production (at final felling) and timber production during the period 2040–2069 and merely energy wood production (at final felling) during 2070–2099. In absolute terms, the production potential of energy wood at energy wood thinning was found to be higher in northern compared with southern Finland, but the case was opposite at final felling both in current and changing climate. It was concluded that a concurrent increase in energy wood and timber production as well as carbon stocks would be possible in Finnish forests if thinning was performed at a higher tree stocking level than in the current recommendations.

Institutional change from the margins of natural resource use: The emergence of small-scale bioenergy production within industrial forestry in Finland

Abstract There exists a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms of innovations in the forestry sector. This article contributes to that goal by presenting a detailed study of the emergence of small-scale wood energy production practices in Finland. Given the distinctive and institutionally strong orientation of Finnish forestry towards raw material production for the pulp and paper industry, such innovative ways of using forest resources seem somewhat improbable and surprising. Despite this, we argue that the development of these new production practices can be understood as a process of institutional renewal that combines elements of continuity and novelty. In our empirical analysis, we follow the emergence of a new forest management category of “young forest” and explore how its naturalization as part of various institutional rules, identities and practices enabled the birth of local wood energy production within the forestry sector. In order to elucidate this multidimensional change, we analyze the new forest category as a boundary object, a socio-technical category with multiple functions and identities, within the large technological system of forestry. These analytical concepts help us illuminate how various material and discursive practices—both in the forestry and energy sectors and at the local and national levels—were able to interact for innovation and institutional change.

Interest in energy wood and energy crop production among Finnish non-industrial private forest owners

EU targets and regulations regarding energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions have been tightening in the 2000s. In Finland the targets are planned to be achieved mainly by increasing the use of biomass. Wood already accounts for a marked proportion of Finnish energy production, but additional reserves are still available. Energy crop production also has considerable potential. Practically all Finnish farmers are also forest owners. Therefore, private forest owners are in a decisive position regarding the supply of energy wood and crops in Finland. In this paper the future supply of biomass is examined according to their past behaviour, intentions and attitudes. Finnish forest owners have a positive attitude towards the use of wood and crops in energy production. Price is becoming more critical as a motive for the supply of energy wood. Recreation and nature conservation play a smaller role than factors related to wood production and forest management as for motives for harvesting energy wood. However, almost a half of forest owners in this study were uncertain of their willingness to supply biomass. This is partly due to limited knowledge of the issues involved in energy wood and agricultural energy crop production and the underdeveloped markets for energy biomass. In order to achieve the targets, supply should be activated by further developing market practices, information, guidance and possibly other incentives for landowners. In general, there is interest among landowners in increasing the supply of energy biomass. However, the growth of supply presumes that production is an economically attractive and competitive alternative, that the markets are better organized than at present, and that more comprehensive information is available about bioenergy and biomass markets and production techniques.

Energy wood thinning as a part of stand management of Scots pine and Norway spruce

The effects of combined production of industrial and energy wood on yield and harvesting incomes, as well as the feasibility of energy wood procurement, were studied. Data for 22 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and 21 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) juvenile stands in Central and Southern Finland were used to compare six combined production regimes to conventional industrial wood production. The study was based on simulations made by the MOTTI stand simulator, which produces growth predictions for alternative management regimes under various site and climatic conditions. The combined production regimes included precommercial thinning at 4–8 m dominant height to a density of 3000–4000 stems ha and energy wood harvesting at 8, 10 or 12 m dominant height. Combined production did not decrease the total yield of industrial wood during the rotation period. Differences in the mean annual increment (MAI) were small, and the rotation periods varied only slightly between the alternatives. Combined production regime can be feasible for a forest owner if the price of energy wood is 3–5 EUR m in pine stands, and 8–9 EUR m in spruce stands. Energy wood procurement was not economically viable at the current energy price (12 EUR MWh) without state subsidies. Without subsidies a 15 EUR MWh energy price would be needed. Our results imply that the combined production of industrial and energy wood could be a feasible stand management alternative.–1–3–3–1–1

Some Guidelines For Reduced Impact Timber Harvesting Practices In Miombo Woodlands

The Miombo woodlands are one of the largest dry forest types in Africa, covering over 2.7 million km-2 in eastern, central and southern Africa; including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 20 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on the Miombo woodlands for their livelihood in terms of food, direct revenues, employment, forage for animals, tourism, fuel, timber and non-timber forest products. Miombo woodlands which occupy over 60 million hectares of land in Zambia and Tanzania contribute to the economies of these countries in terms of direct revenues, tourism, employment, raw materials for building and mining industries, energy and non wood products. Unfortunately, indiscriminate exploitation for timber, charcoal and other products, frequent destructive woodland fires and expansion of agricultural activities have of recent contributed to eroding the environmental importance and ecological diversity of this type of forest. With fast growing populations around these forests, this is likely to increase pressure even further on these forests. Proper management and utilization of these forests are therefore important if they are to sustained future uses. This paper outlines the current harvesting principles and documents procedures to follow in order to improve the existing harvesting practices in Miombo woodlands in southern and eastern Africa using Tanzania and Zambia as case studies. The document recommends improved procedures and techniques, which if adopted will lead to improved productivity, improved environmental value, health status of the residual forest and improved socio-economic benefits at local and national levels. The paper is intended to be used by policy makers, forest departments logging managers, field supervisors, communities and other stakeholders involved in timber harvesting with an objective to promote harvesting practices that improve productivity sustainable and efficient resource utilization while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Keywords : Reduced impact logging miombo woodlands - pre-harvest planning – platform sawing - post harvest impact assessment Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation Vol. 77 2008: pp. 54-72

Ash-fertilization improves germination and early establishment of birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seedlings on a cut-away peatland

Common objectives of afforestation of cut-away peatlands are the diminution of nutrition loads and the production of energy wood in an efficient and economic way. We studied the effect of fertilization and afforestation methods on the early establishment of downy birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seedlings on a cut-away peatland. Six treatments of peat-ash, wood-ash, biotite, or PK-fertilizer were replicated in three blocks in different mixtures corresponding to 50 kg/ha of phosphorous. Birch seeds were sown in randomized halves of split plots, while other halves were naturally afforested. Natural afforestation was equal to sowing in terms of seedling amounts due to closeness of surrounding birch stands with abundant seed crops. After the first growing season the greatest quantities and dominant heights of birch seedlings appeared on the ash-fertilized plots, whereas on the unfertilized areas both the establishment and growth of seedlings was very poor. On the other hand, the quantity of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings was more than three times higher on the unfertilized areas compared to the ash-fertilized areas. The differences between the fertilized and the unfertilized areas accentuated during the four observation years. Our results support regular use of ash-fertilizers for the afforestation of cut-away peatlands instead of the ash being deposited as a waste in landfills.

Dual-Cropping Loblolly Pine for Biomass Energy and Conventional Wood Products

Abstract Southern pine stands have the potential to provide significant feedstocks for the growing biomass energy and biofuel markets. Although initial feedstocks likely will come from low-value small-diameter trees, understory vegetation, and slash, a sustainable and continuous supply of biomass is necessary to support and grow a wood bioenergy market. As long as solidwood products are more valuable, bioenergy production will not be the primary market for southern pine. A study exploring a dual-cropping system for southern pine bioenergy and solidwood products was begun in 1982 in Louisiana to determine the phosphorus (P) nutritional requirements of the system. Fertilization of 60 kg ha−1 of P was required to produce 90% of the maximum volume at the age of 22 years. Direct-seeding pine in the interrows of a traditional pine plantation produced about 10.2 Mg ha−1 of biomass for energy at the age of 5 years but had no lasting effect on the planted pine height, diameter, or standing volume. The system is a viable method to produce both bioenergy and solidwood products. Herbaceous competition control and nitrogen (N) fertilization likely would make the system even more productive and profitable.

Residential Kitchen Preferences of Generation Y

The purpose of this study was to understand residential kitchen preferences of Generation Y consumers who will become 34% of the total U.S. population by the year 2010. This group shows significant differences from their predecessors in demographics and life style. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase one an online survey was sent to 5,000 randomly selected associates of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) to obtain feedback about their level of awareness of Gen Y. One hundred seventeen NKBA associates responded to this survey. It was found that there was a lack of current interest in Gen Ymost likely due to the income of these consumers. In phase two another online survey was sent to 5,036 alumni and current students of East Carolina University. Three hundred and ninety-six participants responded to the second phase of the survey. It was found that this group of consumers considered kitchen appliances based on their features and not on brand names. The most popular feel for the kitchen was warm contemporary. It was also found that Gen Y was interested in green/sustainable products in terms of countertops, energy efficient appliances, lighting systems, and wood products supplied by environmentally responsible sources.

Carbon Accounting Rules and Guidelines for the United States Forest Sector

The United States Climate Change Initiative includes improvements to the U.S. Department of Energy's Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The program includes specific accounting rules and guidelines for reporting and registering forestry activities that reduce atmospheric CO2 by increasing carbon sequestration or reducing emissions. In the forestry sector, there is potential for the economic value of emissions credits to provide increased income for landowners, to support rural development, to facilitate the practice of sustainable forest management, and to support restoration of ecosystems. Forestry activities with potential for achieving substantial reductions include, but are not limited to: afforestation, mine land reclamation, forest restoration, agroforestry, forest management, short-rotation biomass energy plantations, forest protection, wood production, and urban forestry. To be eligible for registration, the reported reductions must use methods and meet standards contained in the guidelines. Forestry presents some unique challenges and opportunities because of the diversity of activities, the variety of practices that can affect greenhouse gases, year-to-year variability in emissions and sequestration, the effects of activities on different forest carbon pools, and accounting for the effects of natural disturbance.

Co-operation and Integration in Wood Energy Production

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of co-operation and integration in large-scale wood energy production. The total procurement cost and yield of forest chips (small-sized trees and logging residues) delivered to the consumption plant were calculated for three harvesting strategies. In Alternative 1 individual stands were harvested. In Alternative 2 the harvesting of smallsized trees and logging residues was integrated within forest holdings. Alternative 3 included both co-operation between neighbouring forest holdings and the integration of harvesting. In integrated harvesting, small trees and logging residues were jointly chipped at intermediate storages. The study material consisted of forest management planning information and forest maps, in digital form, for privately owned areas totaling 15000 ha, of which 3720 ha was forest. GIS data and costs models were used in constructing a production model for a power plant consuming 100000 m3 of forest chips per year. Integration raised the harvestable small energy wood yield by 30.5% (Alternative 2) and 31.5% (Alternative 3). The corresponding values for all forest chips were 12.9% and 13.3%. The average cost of forest chips was 3.4% lower in Alternative 2 and 4.9% lower in Alternative 3 than in individual stand harvesting. The cost effects on the total production cost of small tree chips were greater than on the production cost of logging residues. Co-operation and integration broaden the raw-material base for wood energy and make the supply more even.

Feasibility of an Adapted Tree Section Method for Integrated Harvesting of Pulpwood and Energy Wood in Early Thinning of Scots Pine

This paper deals with the feasibility of adapted tree section method using a conceptual bundle harvester for the integrated production of pulpwood and energy wood in first commercial thinning of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The harvester would operate on the site, and it would be comprised of a base machine, an accumulating felling head, and a compacting device. Separation of pulpwood and energy wood fractions would take place at a pulp mill. In this experiment, the trees were topped and the top sections were left at the site. The concept was evaluated from an ecological and economic point of view. Nutrient losses were significantly lower compared to whole-tree harvesting. The energy fraction increased by 150% compared to the cut-to-length method, in which stem bark represents the energy fraction. In bundle transportation, the load-bearing capacity of standard trucks can be highly utilized. For short distance hauling by conventional forwarders, an expansion of the load space is required in order to improve the utilization of the load-bearing capacity. Due to insufficient compaction capability when dealing with large trees, the bundling concept seems to be more appealing in harvesting energy wood from dense stands characterized by small stem size. In energy wood procurement, the bundling concept has several indirect advantages compared to the conventional forest chip production. Standard vehicles, with minor modifications, can be used for transportation. Machines involved in the operation can work independently, increasing the reliability of the system. Bundling with accurate real-time information about the daily production and inventories creates favourable conditions for efficient process control.

Forest management strategies for producing wood for energy from conventional forestry systems

The report reviews the current developments in forest management planning and practices to integrate the production of biomass for energy along with more conventional forest management goals. However, these have direct or indirect benefits on site preparation, planting and regeneration, stand improvement, and forest protection, soil compaction and disturbance, leaching and removal of nutrients maybe associated with increases in biomass harvesting. Efforts are under way to adapt management practices and silvicultural treatments to biomass production. These begin at the planning stage with the development of management tools and more accurate forest inventory data. They include silvicultural treatments such as shelterwood thinning in mixed wood stands and the interplanting of various tree species with the dual purpose of producing energy wood and conventional forest products. Three systems are available for recovering residues at time of final harvesting. The postharvest recovery of residues area is commonly used in Europe but is generally uneconomic in North America where the harvesting of small stems and integrated harvesting are favoured. Future work is required to develop techniques for estimating the quantity of bioenergy resources available under different management strategies and to elucidate the long-term environmental impacts of producing wood for energy from conventional forestry systems.

Hawaii Celebrates Diamond Jubilee of Forestry

Abstract The 20th annual Hawaii Forestry Conference, commemorating 75 years of work begun by Ralph S. Hosmer in 1904, stressed wood energy production and preservation of the islands' natural ecosystems.