U.S. Department of EnergyOffice of Scientific and Technical Information
The role of short-rotation woody crops in sustainable development
Abstract
One answer to increase wood production is by increasing management intensity on existing timberland, especially in plantation forests. Another is to convert land currently in agriculture to timberland. Short-rotation woody crops can be used in both cases. But, what are the environmental consequences? Short-rotation woody crops can provide a net improvement in environmental quality at both local and global scales. Conversion of agricultural land to short-rotation woody crops can provide the most environmental quality enhancement by reducing erosion, improving soil quality, decreasing runoff, improving groundwater quality, and providing better wildlife habitat. Forest products companies can use increased production from intensively managed short-rotation woody crop systems to offset decreased yield from the portion of their timberland that is managed less intensively, e.g. streamside management zones and other ecologically sensitive or unique areas. At the global scale, use of short-rotation woody crops for bioenergy is part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels. Incorporating short-rotation woody crops into the agricultural landscape also increases storage of carbon in the soil, thus reducing atmospheric concentrations. In addition, use of wood instead of alternatives such as steel, concrete, and plastics generally consumes less energy and produces less greenhouse gases. Cooperativemore »
- Authors:
-
- National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement, Medford, MA (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 463585
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9609340-1
ON: DE97004724; TRN: 97:009999
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1. annual short-rotation woody crops working group meeting, Paducah, KY (United States), 23-25 Sep 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 09 BIOMASS FUELS; 29 ENERGY PLANNING AND POLICY; SHORT ROTATION CULTIVATION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; FORESTRY; RESOURCE MANAGEMENT; LAND USE; LAND POLLUTION ABATEMENT; AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT; MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION; ENERGY CONSERVATION; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Citation Formats
Shepard, J P, and Tolbert, V R. The role of short-rotation woody crops in sustainable development. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Shepard, J P, & Tolbert, V R. The role of short-rotation woody crops in sustainable development. United States.
Shepard, J P, and Tolbert, V R. 1996.
"The role of short-rotation woody crops in sustainable development". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/463585.
@article{osti_463585,
title = {The role of short-rotation woody crops in sustainable development},
author = {Shepard, J P and Tolbert, V R},
abstractNote = {One answer to increase wood production is by increasing management intensity on existing timberland, especially in plantation forests. Another is to convert land currently in agriculture to timberland. Short-rotation woody crops can be used in both cases. But, what are the environmental consequences? Short-rotation woody crops can provide a net improvement in environmental quality at both local and global scales. Conversion of agricultural land to short-rotation woody crops can provide the most environmental quality enhancement by reducing erosion, improving soil quality, decreasing runoff, improving groundwater quality, and providing better wildlife habitat. Forest products companies can use increased production from intensively managed short-rotation woody crop systems to offset decreased yield from the portion of their timberland that is managed less intensively, e.g. streamside management zones and other ecologically sensitive or unique areas. At the global scale, use of short-rotation woody crops for bioenergy is part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels. Incorporating short-rotation woody crops into the agricultural landscape also increases storage of carbon in the soil, thus reducing atmospheric concentrations. In addition, use of wood instead of alternatives such as steel, concrete, and plastics generally consumes less energy and produces less greenhouse gases. Cooperative research can be used to achieve energy, fiber, and environmental goals. This paper will highlight several examples of ongoing cooperative research projects that seek to enhance the environmental aspects of short-rotation woody crop systems. Government, industry, and academia are conducting research to study soil quality, use of mill residuals, nutrients in runoff and groundwater, and wildlife use of short-rotation woody crop systems in order to assure the role of short-rotation crops as a sustainable way of meeting society`s needs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/463585},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}