Title:
Combining Short Rotation Coppice with Annual Crops - Modern Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Use
Author(s):
Bärwolff, M., Böhm, C., Schmidt, C., Schwarz, K.-U., Vetter, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The production of fuelwood in short rotation coppice (SRC) is considered as one compartment in the upcoming intensification of the generation of renewable resources, which importance is undoubted in terms of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and gaining independence of fossil fuels. Increased production of biomass for energy recovery will intensify the pressure on land, leading to further intensification of agricultural management. Combining forestry and agricultural systems seem to be a promising solution. In a joint research project four agroforestry systems combining SRC strips and crop strips were established in Germany. Each site offers different initial conditions for combined wood and crop production. Main focus on all sites is the evaluation of economic and ecological issues. The objective is to deduce possibilities of improvement and to make relevant information available for practice and consultancy. Besides economic calculations, further research fields include microclimate, flora, fauna and soil properties. First results show significant impact on microclimate and biodiversity. Enhancing effects on crop yields seem to be associated with specific site conditions and do not occur necessarily. Without an economic consideration of ecosystem services today SRC agroforestry systems can not compete with single crop systems, but may become economically relevant with further progress of climate change.
Keywords:
agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, short rotation forestry (SRF), sustainability, agroforestry
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops (session 1)
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OB1.5
Pages:
55 - 60
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OB1.5
Price:
FREE
