Guidelines for harvesting forest biomass for energy: A synthesis of environmental considerations

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.06.029

Biomass and Bioenergy

Volume 35, Issue 11, November 2011, Pages 4538-4546

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.06.029 Get rights and content

Abstract

Interest in the utilization of forest biomass for energy is growing. A search into existing forest biomass harvesting and regeneration guidelines was carried out to identify how biomass energy can be environmentally sustainable. Findings have shown that there are only a few guidelines that specifically address harvesting and regenerating biomass for bioenergy or other bio-based products. Of these few, there are guidelines developed for dedicated energy plantations such as the Scottish Agricultural College guidelines, as well as some Finnish and Swedish guidelines recommending management practices for both timber and biomass extraction. Most of the existing small woody material guidelines emphasize the retention, disposal, redistribution, burning and mulching of biomass material on-site in a more detailed manner than forest and timber management guidelines. This study synthesizes and classifies existing biomass-related guidelines based on an in-depth literature review of existing guidelines in Europe and North America involved with biomass energy harvesting. Biomass guidelines are classified according to those applicable to systems producing biomass commercially for energy versus those that are applicable to systems managing this material for non-commercial purposes. Biomass guidelines are analyzed with respect to how they address issues of sustainability related to soil, water and habitat. Recommendations are offered for developing guidelines for biomass harvesting.

Highlights

► This study synthesizes and classifies existing European and North American biomass guidelines. ► Very few guidelines have specifically addressed harvesting and regenerating biomass. ► Biomass guidelines of soil, water and habitat sustainability issues are analyzed. ► Recommendations are offered to develop guidelines for biomass harvesting.

Introduction

Several international and national policies have been put in place to promote large-scale biomass utilization for energy (e.g., EC Communication Biomass Action Plan 2005, US Energy Policy Act 2005 [1], [2]), because of growing energy needs, concerns for carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, and the price of oil. However, the contribution that biomass can make to future global energy demand is not clear and has been inconsistently addressed [3]. An increase in demand for biomass energy has raised serious concerns about the long-term effects of forest residue removal on soil productivity [4], [5], [6], water quality [7], [8] and habitat [9], [10]. This is because harvest and removal of biomass is expected to have a greater impact on soil, water and habitat than conventional forest practices. Relying entirely on general forest management guidelines for the management of biomass harvest operations is unlikely to be sufficient [8], [11], and the development of specific biomass guidelines is therefore necessary to ensure sustainability.

Section snippets

Study objective and methodology

This study investigates and evaluates criteria for harvesting biomass from forestlands for energy purposes. The objectives are to identify and classify existing forest biomass guidelines that promote sustainability, analyze existing environmental concerns, and offer recommendations for developing biomass harvesting guidelines.

This study synthesizes available biomass harvesting guidelines through a review of current literature and discussions with forest biomass professionals in North America

Study scope

Energy feedstock from managed forests and energy plantations can be derived from above and below ground biomass material. For this synthesis, biomass includes forest residue extractions from forest management operations, stumps, and biomass from dedicated plantations. In general, biomass for energy has a lower bulk density and value than wood for timber or the pulp and paper industry.

The supply chain of biomass energy from forests and plantations extends from activities at the harvest site to

Purpose of guidelines

In general, guidelines are developed to protect resources of interest and value for future generations through regulation of their use. Forest management guidelines offer a balanced framework to contribute to the goal of sustainability of forested lands and forest resources by protecting soil productivity, water quality, habitat and ecosystem services [12].

Potential for biomass harvesting is site-specific. Utilization depends on the preferences of landowners and associated primary management

Biomass guidelines

With the rapidly increasing interest in biomass for energy, guidelines are necessary to ensure the sustainable use of this resource in a manner that does not impair both its commercial and non-commercial services. For example, over-extracting biomass can reduce soil productivity and hence reduce the sustainable supply of this material for future generations. On the other hand, if implemented properly, biomass removal can benefit overall forest management and energy goals.

There are only a few

Classification of existing guidelines

This section provides a classification of existing biomass-related guidelines. Existing guidelines address the management of biomass in varying ways which can be broadly classified into a) those that recommend the harvest and removal of biomass for commercial goals (production) as in classifications 1 and 2, and b) those that recommend the removal, disposal, retention, redistribution, shearing, mulching, or burning this material for non-commercial goals as in classification 3. In this next

Guidelines and the sustainability concerns of biomass energy

Sustainability is an important yet amorphous and overused term which can only be defined within a context of interest. In other words, asking the questions ‘sustainability of what and for what purposes?’ can determine specific practices that sustain the resource of interest. For example, if sustaining biomass energy resources is a primary goal in a forestland, this goal is achievable when the forest is sustainably managed for a continued supply of this resource. For plantations this can be more

Soil

Soil productivity is the capacity of a soil to contribute to the production of forest biomass [36]. Soil productivity is based on the natural capacity of unaltered soil to support plant growth, as measured by biomass yield in tonnes per hectare per year [31]. Burger [36] identifies three means to increase the productivity of a site. These are increasing: a) biotic potential of trees, b) growth rate of trees, and c) site carrying capacity. On the other hand, soil productivity potential can be

Hydrology

Soil hydrology is impacted by soil disturbances, harvesting operations, and mineral soil exposure [12]. The main aim of water quality management is to reduce discharge of sediments and pollutants from a site to water bodies. Hydrology is affected by the ability of soil to hold and transfer water. Soil compaction impacts the size, number, and distribution of soil pores, which impacts water movement and increases surface runoff, erosion and water logging of soil [42], [43]. Impaired soils can

Habitat

Individual species vary in their dependence on forest biomass according to their habitat requirements. For example, factors such as coarse woody debris physical orientation, size, age, state of decomposition, tree species, overall abundance and physical distribution of debris influence how organisms utilize forest residue [14]. Additional functions of biomass energy material include sheltering, feeding, reproduction, resting, bedding, roosting, sunning, hibernating, preening, drumming, travel

Other factors considered in guidelines

In addition to the environmental resources necessary to sustain a system that generates biomass for energy, forest-related guidelines address other non-ecosystem related aspects such as social, cultural, aesthetics and biomass storage conditions suitable for biomass energy. Identified guidelines that address these areas include:

Recommendations

•
Harvesting of biomass for energy material can affect the sustainability of key environmental functions. If biomass is to play a significant role in a growing energy industry, proper planning and guidance to safeguard environmental values and ensure a sustained supply is needed. To overcome potential environmental complications, identified guidelines have listed recommendations in several of the essential environmental sustainability-related areas: soil, water, and habitat. On a more

Conclusion

This study has examined existing biomass guidelines and their classifications. If biomass energy is intended, it is important to have harvesting and removal guidelines specific to biomass energy production. Most guidelines emphasize the need for biomass material to remain on a site, as opposed to the removal potentials of biomass. However, guidelines developed for energy plantations and Scandinavian biomass energy guidelines address removal of this material for utilization. Biomass energy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend a special thank you to our reviewers. Thank you also to the Laurentian Energy Authority (Hibbing and Virginia, Minnesota, U.S.A), Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (University of Minnesota), Dave Zumeta (Minnesota Forest Resources Council), Tage Fredriksson (Metsätalouden kehittämiskeskus Tapio, Finland), Mark Ryans (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada, Canada), Bruce McCallum (CANBIO, Canada), Jim Richardson (International Energy

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Guidelines for harvesting forest biomass for energy: A synthesis of environmental considerations

Abstract

Highlights

Introduction

Section snippets

Study objective and methodology

Study scope

Purpose of guidelines

Biomass guidelines

Classification of existing guidelines

Guidelines and the sustainability concerns of biomass energy

Soil

Hydrology

Habitat

Other factors considered in guidelines

Recommendations

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Biomass Bioenerg

For Ecol Manag

Biomass Bioenerg

Adv Ecol Res

Biomass Bioenerg

Biomass Bioenerg

Biomass Bioenerg

Communication from the Commission of 7 December 2005 – Biomass Action Plan [SEC(2005) 1573]

Pub. L. No. 109–58

An update of: forest soils. A Technical paper for a Generic environmental impact Statement on timber harvesting and forest management in Minnesota [unpublished report on the Internet]

Soil nutrient dynamics after harvesting and slash treatments in boreal aspen stands

Soil Sci Soc Am J

Water quality protection in bioenergy production: the US system of forestry best management practices

Biomass Bioenerg

The coarse woody debris profile: an archive of recent forest history and an important biodiversity indicator

Production of forest energy

Sustaining Minnesota forest resources: voluntary site-level forest management guidelines for landowners, loggers and resource Managers [document on the Internet]

Determining and evaluating nutrient losses following whole-tree harvesting of aspen

Soil Sci Soc Am J

Biodiversity and coarse woody debris in southern forests

Procurement of forest energy

Natural resources Conservation service forest management 101. North Central Region forest management Guide: a cooperative project of the USDA forest service and University of Minnesota [document on the Internet]

Energy from willow

Energy wood harvest from clearcuts: guidelines. Based on translation from forest Engineering research Institute of Canada

Rekommendationer vid uttag av skogsbränsle och kompensation sgödsling. Rekommendationer vid uttag av skogsbränsle och kompensationsgödsling [document on the Internet]

Increased use of forest fuels to expand the raw material base. Stumps – an unutilised reserve. Wood Energy Technology Programme. Newsletter on results 4