Wood energy plantations in temperate climates.

Wood energy plantations are being considered in several countries for achieving greater energy independence. Many of the projects are still in research and development stages, while several programs are already operational.Maximizing the efficient production of energy by means of optimizing the growth of selected plant crops is the goal in energy plantations. For this, the bioecological factors (planting site, tree species, photosynthetic activity, soil moisture and nutrient availability), methods of genetic improvement (interspecific hybrids, clones, breeding for biomass productivity and qualities, and breeding for energy efficiency), and cultural treatments (soil preparation, planting stock, planting, spacing, weed control, fertilization, irrigation, pest control and resprouting) influencing productivity are discussed. A review of biomass yields, energy contents and ratios, production economics and conversion methods concludes the treatise.Short rotation, intensively managed plantations of genetically improved, fast growing trees can make significant contributions to energy supplies. The increased support given to this concept of energy plantations will benefit forest management in general.The environmental concerns related to intensive cultural practices in energy plantations are similar to those in agriculture. The problems are not impossible to overcome. Compared to hazards of nuclear energy, and polluting effects of coal, wood biomass remains undoubtedly a safer and healthier option.

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(83)80007-3

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