Are increased yields in coppice systems a myth
Conference
·
OSTI ID:6685394
One advantage attributed to coppice systems is that wood production costs will be decreased because coppice yields are usually greater than seedling yields at the same age. Observed increases in coppice yields over seedling yields vary from 0 to 300%. These observed fast rates of coppice regrowth have generated the idea that coppicing will increase total yields. Biomass yield data from the Department of Energy's Short Rotation Woody Crops Program suggest that short-rotation coppice stands attain high yields at an early age but do not increase total production levels over stands of equal spacing and culture, but longer rotation. Coppiced stands normally show some lag in accumulation of woody material, compared to unharvested stands of the same age, even if the rates of coppice production are very high. In trials where rotation lengths of 2 and 4 years were imposed, the 2-year rotation treatment resulted in equal or lower total yields than the 4-year rotation treatment in 60 of 65 comparisons. Very few data are available for comparing biomass yields from 4-year rotations with biomass yields from longer rotations, but the few examples available show the same pattern. Although short-rotation coppice practices alone may not increase total yields, it is anticipated that coppice practices in conjunction with additional intensive culture practices (including use of selected clones) can increase yields, while at the same time providing early returns on investments and avoiding replanting costs. 20 refs., 6 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6685394
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870364-1; ON: DE87006608
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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