Abstract
This study analyses the trade-off between bioenergy production and soil conservation through thinning operations in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) plantations in Denmark. Thinning operations were evaluated under different regimes and intensities for a complete rotation period of sixty years and for different site qualities (site-classes I-VI). Applying a dynamic forest growth modeling tool, evolution of forest structure was predicted to observe the potentials for biomass production and inevitable soil degradation. Results showed thinning from below, with a higher utilization (maintenance of a minimum basal area of 25 m2ha-1) could produce more bioenergy. However, these operations require simultaneous severe forest soil degradation. Therefore, the optimum thinning for bioenergy production under preservation constraints was thinning from above with a lower intensity (maintenance of a minimum basal area of 45 m2 ha-1). The ratio of bioenergy win (kWh) to soil-loss (m3ha-1) was calculated for this regime varying between 74,894 kWh m-3 in a high quality site (site-class I) and 6,516 kWh m-3 in a low quality site (site-class VI) with an average of 44,282 kWh m-3. However, this could not always preserve the highest amount of growing stock essential for natural dynamics of forest ecosystem with an exception of the low quality sites (site-class VI). Thus, when aiming at bioenergy production through thinning operations, trade-offs with soil conservation and growing stock preservation should be regarded to prevent environmental degradation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Agroforestry Systems |
| Volume | 87 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 287-294 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISSN | 0167-4366 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2013 |