Thèses sur le sujet « Forest biomass- Wood market »

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wood waste, when used for gasification is commonly pressed into briquettes, especially if no uniform particle size is available. This densification reduces problems of handling, storage and transportation and improves the combustion performance because of a more uniform fuel size. Briquettes have to be mechanically strong enough to be handled. Cohesive strength is provided by residual moisture and lignin present in the wood. The lignin acts as a natural binder. However, the briquetting process becomes more complicated if one wants to add other agricultural waste products that do not necessarily contain lignin as binders,, In this study we have investigated various briquetting process parameters, such as mixing ratios of briquettes containing wood chips, grape skins and chicken litter, moisture content and press time. The aim was to determine the optimum process parameters that allow the production of briquettes, containing a blend of biomaterials that are mechanically stable to allow further handling but yield high energy content at the same time.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wanneer houtafval vir vergassing gebruik word en die partikelgrootte daarvan varieer, word die materiaal normaalweg in ’n brikket gedruk. Brikketvorming vergemaklik opberging, hantering en vervoer. Weens die meer uniforme grootte en vorm van die brikkette is verbranding daarvan heelwat meer doeltreffend. Brikkette moet egter meganies sterk genoeg wees om hanteer te kan word. Die kohesiewe sterkte word deur residuele vog en lignien, wat as natuurlike bindmiddel in hout aanwesig is, verskaf. Indien ander materiale soos landbouafval, wat noodwendig geen lignien bevat nie egter gebruik word, word die brikketvormingsproses meer kompleks. In hierdie ondersoek is verskeie brikketvormingsparameters evalueer. Mengverhoudings van brikkette wat houtspaanders, druiwedoppe en hoendermis bevat, asook invloed van materiaalvoggehalte en druktyd is bestudeer. Die doel was om die optimale materiaal- en prosesparameters vas te stel wanneer ’n mengsel van biomateriale gebruik word om brikkette te lewer wat meganies sterk genoeg is maar steeds die hoogste energieopbrengs lewer.
Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

The goal of this research study was to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of developing a woody biomass industry that includes non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners. Surveys were administered to 475 forest landowners before and after a forestry extension education program on emerging woody biomass markets in ten counties across North Carolina. We predicted that landowners would have low knowledge levels of woody biomass but, as a result of participating in the training, would increase knowledge, have more positive attitudes, and develop aspirations to harvest woody biomass on their land. Results, based on 395 returned surveys, confirmed these hypotheses, thus strengthening the perception of the importance of woody biomass educational programs as a component of renewable energy adoption plans. However, while the majority of landowners reported that the information gained was beneficial, we found that landowners would like more specific information before committing to participate in emerging woody biomass markets. Outreach to minority and traditionally underserved landowners also requires considerable development. If Extension professionals do not make a conscious effort to reach out to these populations they will be effectively excluded from this woody biomass market opportunity. These findings will assist Extension agents and other adult educators, policy makers, and energy or timber industry professionals to make informed decisions when developing policies and programs concentrated on woody biomass harvesting for energy.

Thesis (MFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
The aim of this study was to develop biomass prediction models for the determination of total aboveground biomass for mopane at three (3) study sites in Botswana. Thereafter, based on the pooled data from the three (3) study sites, recommend one cross-site biomass prediction model that could be used for the indirect estimation of the total aboveground biomass for mopane in Botswana. All the data were collected by destructive sampling from three (3) study sites in Botswana. Stratified random sampling was based on the stem diameter at breast height (1.3 m from the ground). A total of 30 sample trees at each study site were measured, felled and weighed. The 30 sample trees were distributed equally between six DBH classes (Five sample trees per DBH class). Thereafter, using the data from these sample trees, site-specific biomass prediction models for the indirect estimation of total aboveground biomass for mopane were developed as a function of the following independent variables: stem diameter at 0.15 m from the ground; stem diameter at 1.3 m from the ground; stem diameter at 3 m from the ground; crown diameter; and total tree height. The data from the sites were pooled together to develop cross-site biomass prediction models as a function of the given independent variables. The biomass prediction model that provided the best fit at Serule was a linear equation estimated by means of the stem diameter at 1.3 m, while in Sexaxa the biomass prediction model that provided the best fit was estimated by means of the stem diameter at 0.15 m. The biomass prediction model that provided the best fit at the Tamacha site was estimated by means of the stem diameter at 1.3 m. On the basis of the collected data, cross-site biomass prediction models were developed. The cross-site biomass prediction model that provided the best fit was developed from the stem diameter at 1.3 m. This relationship was adopted as the prediction model for the indirect biomass estimation of Colophospermum mopane (mopane) in Botswana.

Recent emphasis on producing energy from woody biomass has raised questions about the impact of a vibrant wood-to-energy market on the southern wood supply chain, which consists of forest landowners, forest industry mills, and harvesting contractors. This study utilized two surveys of southern wood supply chain participants and a designed operational study of an energywood harvest to investigate the impact of an expanded wood-to-energy market on each member of the southern wood supply chain. First, a survey of consulting foresters was conducted to examine how harvest tract size, forest ownership, and forest industry structure have changed within the U.S. South and how foresters expect the wood-to-energy market to impact the wood supply chain in the future. Second, this study employed a mail survey of forest landowners, forest industry mills, and wood-to-energy facilities from the thirteen southern states in order to investigate expected competition for resources, wood supply chain profitability, and landowner willingness to sell timber to energy facilities. Third, this study conducted a designed operational study on a southern pine clearcut in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, with three replications of three harvest prescriptions to measure harvesting productivity and costs when harvesting woody biomass for energy. The three treatments were: a Conventional roundwood only harvest (control), an Integrated harvest in which roundwood was delivered to traditional mills and residuals were chipped for energy, and a Chip harvest in which all stems were chipped for energy use. Results from the two surveys suggest that timber markets are inadequate in many areas of the South as a result of expanded timber supply and reduced forest products industry capacity. Only 12% of responding landowners and foresters had sold wood to an energy facility, indicating that wood-to-energy markets are non-existent in many areas of the South. Nonetheless, 98% of consulting foresters and 90% of landowners reported a willingness to sell timber to an energy facility if the right price were offered. Consulting foresters expected wood-to-energy facilities to provide an additional market for wood, and not displace forest products industry capacity. However, two-thirds of consulting foresters, wood-to-energy facilities, and private landowners expected competition between mills and energy facilities while 95% of fibermills (pulp/paper and composite mills) expected competition. Fibermills were much more concerned about competition for resources and increases in wood costs than any other member of the southern wood supply chain. The operational study documented the challenges facing some harvesting contractors in economically producing energywood. Onboard truck roundwood costs increased from $9.35 green t-1 in the Conventional treatment to $10.98 green t-1 in the Integrated treatment as a result of reduced felling and skidding productivity. Energy chips were produced for $19.19 green t-1 onboard truck in the Integrated treatment and $17.93 green t-1 in the Chip treatment. Energywood harvesting costs were higher in this study than in previous research that employed loggers with less expensive, more fuel efficient equipment. This suggests that high capacity, wet-site capable loggers may not be able to economically harvest and transport energywood without a substantial increase in energywood prices. This study suggests that the southern wood supply chain is in position to benefit from a vibrant wood-to-energy market. Landowners should benefit from an additional market for small-diameter stems. This study shows that high production, wet-site capable loggers should not harvest energywood until prices for this material appreciate considerably. Wet-site loggers have very expensive equipment with high hourly fuel consumption rates and this study documented that energywood production was not sufficiently high to offset the high hourly cost of owning and operating this equipment. Nevertheless, a wood-to-energy market should benefit harvesting contractors in general because unless the forest products industry contracts further, loggers can continue to harvest and deliver roundwood to mills as they do at present and those properly equipped for energywood harvesting at low cost may be able to profit from a new market. The forest products industry has the largest potential downside of any member of the southern wood supply chain. This study documents widespread anticipation of competition between the forest products and wood-to-energy industries. However, to date there has been minimal wide-scale competition between the forest products and wood-to-energy industries. It is possible that the wood-to-energy industry will complement, rather than compete with the forest products industry, and thereby benefit each member of the southern wood supply chain.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study aims at developing models for predicting aboveground biomass for selected drought tolerant Eucalyptus (E) species (E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala and E. grandis x camaldulensis) from the dry west coast. Biomass models were fit for each of the species and a cross-species model was parameterised based on pooled data for all the three species. Data was based on destructive sampling of 28 eucalypt trees which were 20 years of age and additional five five-year old E. gomphocephala trees. Preliminary measurements on diameter at breast height (dbh), height (h) and crown height were recorded in the field. The sampled trees were then felled and samples of discs, branches and foliage were collected. Density of the wood discs and the bark was determined by a water displacement method and computer tomography scanning (CT-scanner). Stem biomass was reconstructed using Smalian’s formula for volume determination and the calculated densities. Upscaling of the crown was carried out by regression equations formulated by employing the sampled branches. Further assessment was carried out on a sub-sample by subjecting the samples to different drying temperatures in a series between 60 and 105ºC. Linear models were parameterised by a simultaneous regression approach based on Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) using the “Systemfit” R statistical package. The predictor variables employed in the study were dbh, d2h and h in which the coefficient of determination (R2), Mean Standard Error (MSE) and Root Mean Standard Error (RMSE) were used to determine the goodness of fit for the models. Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was also used in the selection of the best fitting model. A system of equations consisting of five models was formulated for each Eucalyptus species. The biomass prediction models had degrees of determination (R2) ranging from 0.65 to 0.98 in which dbh and d2h were the main predictor variable while h improved the model fit. The total biomass models were the best fitting models in most cases while foliage biomass had the least good fit when compared to other models. When the samples were subjected to different drying temperatures, stem wood had the largest percentage change of 6% when drying from 60ºC to 105ºC while foliage had the lowest percentage change of less than 2%.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met hierdie studie is om modelle vir die voorspelling van die bogrondse biomassa van drie droogte-bestande Eucalyptus (E) spesies (E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala en E. grandis x camaldulensis), gekweek op die droë kusvlakte in Wes-Kaapland, te ontwikkel. Biomassa modelle vir elk van die spesies is gepas en ’n model gegrond op die gekombineerde data van al drie die spesies, is geparameteriseer. Verder is die biomassa variasie onder verskeie droogingstemperature vasgestel. Die data versameling is uitgevoer gegrond op die destruktiewe mostering van 28 Eucalyptus bome wat 20 jaar oud was en ’n bykomende vyf vyfjarige E. gomphocephala bome. Die aanvanklike mates, naamlik deursnee op borshoogte (dbh), boomhoogte (h) en kroonhoogte is in die veld opgemeet. Die gemonsterde bome is afgesaag en monsters van stamhout skywe, takke en die bas is versamel. Die digtheid van die skywe en die bas is deur die waterverplasing metode, en Rekenaar Tomografie skandering (“CT-scanning”) vasgestel. Stam biomassa is rekonstrukteer deur gebruik te maak van Smalian se formule vir die vasstelling van volume en berekende digtheid. Die opskaal van die kroon biomassa is gedoen met behulp van regressie vergelykings van gekose takmonsters. Submonsters is onderwerp aan ’n reeks van verskillende drogingstemperature tussen 60 en 105ºC. Lineêre modelle is deur ’n gelyktydige regressie benadering gegrond op die Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) wat ’n“Systemfit” R statistiese pakket gebruik, parameteriseer. Die voorspeller veranderlikes wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, is dbh, d2h en h waarin die koëffisient van bepaling (R2), gemiddelde standaardfout (MSE) en vierkantswortel van die gemiddelde standaardfout (RMSE) gebruik is om vas te stel hoe goed die model pas. Akaike Inligting Kriteria is gebruik vir die seleksie van die gepaste model. ’n Reeks vergelykings wat bestaan uit vyf modelle is vir elke Eucalyptus spesie geformuleer. Die biomassa voorspelling model het waardes vir die koëffisiente van bepaling (R2) opgelewer wat strek van 0.65 to 0.98% en waarin dbh en d2h die hoof voorspelling veranderlikes is, terwyl h die pas van die model verbeter. Die totale biomassa model het in die meeste gevalle die beste gepas en die blaarbiomassa die swakste as dit met die ander modelle vergelyk word. Tydens droging vind die grootste persentasie verandering van 6% by stamhout plaas tussen temperature van 60ºC tot 105ºC, en die kleinste persentasie verandering van minder as 2% by blare.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2009.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 119 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Forests are fundamentally important in relation to the multitude of ecosystem services they provide. Many ecosystem services supplied by forests are positive externalities and public goods and they are considered “market failures”: people can benefit from them without contributing to their sustainment. The failure in assigning a proper value may lead to degradation of forest ecosystems, or to abandonment of forest management, resulting in a consequent under provision of the service, with substantial economic and social losses to society. To preserve and sustain ecosystem services, including those provided by forests, there is an increasing agreement in favour of Market Based Instruments (MBI). MBI encourage behaviour through market signals rather than through explicit directives. Their main common characteristic is the use of monetary values in one way or another through a commodification process. MBI are heterogeneous and many authors have listed and classified them, in different ways. The present research adopts the classification of Pirard (2012), who described six types of MBI: direct deals, tradable permits, regulatory price signals, voluntary price signals, reverse auctions and Coasean type agreements. Among the several ecosystem services provided by forests, some, more than others, have experienced a process of commodification, testified by several examples worldwide. This is the case of Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) and of the climate regulation that derives from the carbon sequestration function of forests. The research aimed at i) assessing which are the most important MBI types applied to NWFP and forests carbon, according to the scientific literature; ii) analysing the application of MBI to NWFP and to climate regulation that derives from the carbon sequestration function of forests, at different scales; iii) assessing whether the application of the MBI to NWFP and to climate regulation that derives from the carbon sequestration function of forests, in the selected examples, is likely to deliver co-benefits or sustainability aspects. In order to determine how is the MBI type reflected in the scientific literature the Elsevier Scopus database was used, using a set of keywords. According to the analysis of the scientific literature, the most quoted MBI for NWFP is “direct deals”. Two levels of analysis were selected: the first focused on the international NWFP trade of Italy (performed using the Harmonised System and UNComtrade) and the second on the regional market of NWFP (with the supply chain analysis of wild mushrooms and chestnuts in South Tyrol conducted through face-to-face questionnaires; plus two in depth case-studies, one in Fiemme valley (TN), targeting the organization of the mushroom picking service, and one in Castione (TN), targeting the organization of a chestnut producers association). The other MBI of main importance for NWFP is “voluntary price signals”, namely certification, which was investigated through literature analysis. The study for the climate regulation that derives from the carbon sequestration function of forests was conducted at two levels: i) the Italian compliance forest carbon market, in the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) example (utilising official databases) and ii) the voluntary forest carbon market, by submitting an online questionnaire to the actors of the sector. The analysis of “direct deals” applied to NWFP confirms that commodification of NWFP is so extended that nowadays many NWFP are traded at international scale. In these, Italy has a leading position within the five main global importers and/or exporters of vegetable tannins, cork stoppers, chestnuts and wild mushrooms. The International trade of wild forest products is increasing. This could be an opportunity for Italy and for European Union in general, to promote a sustainable forest management based on multifunctionality, which includes use and commercialization of NWFP. The survey conducted in Trentino-South Tyrol for wild mushrooms and chestnuts shows the presence of different types of markets and food supply chains, based on local and non-local NWFP, the second largely exceeding the first. This is driven by the same logics that rule the trade of other commodities, such as the cheaper raw material and labour cost obtainable in some foreign countries. However, there are also supply chains based on local NWFP. The trade of local products is based on much lower quantities, and almost the totality remains within regional boundaries. The trade occurrs for the vast majority through Short Food Supply Chains, whose application is considered one of the most important tools to strengthen rural development, by providing several socio-economic and environmental benefits. Chestnuts production in the region takes also advantage of form of integrations among producers and of geographic specific horizontal alliances for the sale of complementary products and services. Other MBI are applied to NWFP in the region. Of particular importance are the public incentives for the restoration of the chestnuts sector and the permits for the collection of wild mushrooms. The analysis of tradable permits application to the climate regulation (carbon sequestration function of forest), in the Italian CDM example, shows that Italian Government participates in a relatively high number of forest projects in developing countries, producing a relevant amount of climatic benefits. However, the connection “carbon forest project- conservation of native forests and of biodiversity” is not automatic, since 55% of the new forests was planted with non-native species. The analysis of the statements of the forest carbon project design documents shows that all the projects claim that they stimulate the local economy, including short and long term employment in the project area, and that they engage the local population. However, the system of indicators developed by United Nation Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) does not provide a method for assessing how much a project contributes to sustainable development. Integration of the available information from the Italian Government would be particularly valuable, also considering the relevant financial involvement of Italy in these activities and the positive lessons to be learned from the ongoing experience in the light of the future development of the UNFCCC negotiations. The analysis of the tradable permits in the example of the Italian voluntary forest carbon market shows that the Italian market is a small market, which has showing a decline in the latest years. The prices are instead in positive countertrend. The Italian sector is characterized by a balanced presence of profit and non-profit organizations, which develop more and more small and micro projects in Italy. Differently form the international situation, most of the projects operate in the absence of certification and standards that assure carbon accounting quality and delivery of co-benefits. However, many projects use guidelines and internal quality standards, a strategy aimed at containing costs for the micro or small scale projects. This choice might, however, raise criticisms. A good sign in terms of environmental benefits is given by the fact that most of the projects, contrarily from what happen in the CDM projects, used exclusively native species. Since problems of double counting with Kyoto based initiatives could undermine the development of the sector, the voluntary carbon market is looking for official signals from the Italian Government. Currently there is a legislative gap about this. With clear and precise directives, a more stable strategy for the sector could be implemented, also looking at the successful examples of domestic markets that exist in many EU countries. NWFP certification is promoted as a solution to address the many ecological, economic, and social challenges associated with NWFP commercialization. The research shows that several certification schemes are applied to NWFP and they have different scopes, which follow in different degree under the spheres of socio-economic and environmental sustainability and of assurance of quality and health benefits. However, only two standards (sustainable forest management and wild certification), include detailed ecological specifications for sustainable harvesting. Being the entire NWFP supply chain connected to the renewability of the NWFP itself, these recommendations are of particular importance. Market Based Instruments are mechanisms that can provide economic values to forest ecosystems, also providing greater flexibility of the management of the resources and to changing conditions. The research shows that application of MBI to forest ecosystem services can perform at different scales, form the local to the global. However, they have not to be idealistically seen as the solution; they rather can, if carefully designed and implemented, complement regulations or provide alternatives. The definition of the best option should be designed case-by-case, especially aiming at including the delivering of sustainable aspects, with particular reference to the place where the forest resources are. At the same way, due to heterogeneity of MBI and of the contexts where they are implemented, MBI effectiveness in managing and conserving ecosystems cannot be a priori assessed and other indicators, applied at specific scale, should be used.
Le foreste hanno fondamentale importanza per i servizi ecosistemici che forniscono alla società. Molti servizi ecosistemici derivanti dalle foreste ricadono nelle cosiddette esternalità positive e nella classe dei beni pubblici. Ciò implica che molti possano beneficiare da tali servizi ecosistemici, senza però contribuire al loro sostentamento. Tale fallimento nell’attribuzione del giusto valore può comportare una degradazione degli ecosistemi forestali, o l’abbandono della gestione forestale, con un conseguente sotto approvvigionamento del servizio ecosistemico stesso. Ne derivano conseguentemente perdite anche dal punto di vista socio-economico. Al fine di preservare, conservare e sostenere i servizi ecosistemici, compresi quelli generati dalle foreste, c’è un crescente accordo circa l’effettività dell’uso degli strumenti basati sul mercato (Market Based Instruments- MBI). I MBI sono strumenti che incoraggiano le azioni tramite segnali di mercato, invece che tramite norme. Essi costituiscono un gruppo eterogeneo di strumenti, il cui maggiore comune denominatore è l’uso di valori monetari, in svariati modi, attraverso un processo di commodificazione. Diversi autori hanno classificato i MBI, in modi differenti. La presente ricerca adotta la classificazione di Pirard (2012), il quale ha definito sei tipi di MBI: scambi diretti (direct deals), permessi commercializzabili (tradable permits), segnali di prezzo su base normativa (regulatory price signals), segnali di prezzo su base volontaria (voluntary price signals), accordi basati sul modello di Coase (Coasean types agreements), aste al contrario (reverse auctions). Tra i tanti servizi ecosistemici forniti dalle foreste, alcuni, più di altri, hanno esperito un processo di commodificazione, testimoniato da molti esempi nel mondo. E’ il caos dei Prodotti Forestali Non Legnosi (PFNL) e del servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste. La presente ricerca ha avuto i seguenti obiettivi: i) determinare quali siano i più importanti MBI applicati ai PFNL e al servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste, secondo la letteratura scientifica; ii) analizzare l’applicazione di tali MBI ai PFNL e al servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste, a diverse scale; iii) valutare se sia probabile che l’applicazione dei MBI ai PFNL e al servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste, negli esempi selezionati, porti co-benefici o aspetti di sostenibilità. Per determinare quali siano i più importanti MBI, è stato utilizzato il database Scopus, tramite una ricerca con parole chiave. Secondo la letteratura, i più citati MBI per i PFNL sono i “direct deals”. Sono stati determinati due livelli di analisi per la ricerca di tale applicazione del meccanismo: la prima internazionale, con focus sul commercio internazionale dei PFNL in cui l’Italia è coinvolta (utilizzando il database UNComtrade); la seconda regionale, con l’analisi delle filiere di funghi selvatici e castagne in Trentino-Alto Adige, condotta tramite interviste dirette; l’indagine si è anche avvalsa di ulteriori ricerche, la prima concernente il servizio di raccolta dei permessi dei funghi in val di Fiemme (TN), la seconda un’associazione di produttori di castagne a Castione (TN). L’altro MBI di maggiore importanza per i PFNL, come riportato in letteratura, è “regulatory price signals”, e specificatamente la certificazione e l’uso di standards. L’analisi dell’applicazione di questo meccanismo si è svolta tramite ricerca bibliografica. Lo studio sul servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste è stato condotto a due livelli: i) il mercato regolamentare del carbonio forestale, nell’esempio dei progetti forestali sviluppati nell’ambito del Clean Development Mechanism del Protocollo di Kyoto (studio avvenuto tramite ricerca nei database ufficiali); ii) il mercato volontario del carbonio forestale, avvenuto tramite questionari inviati agli attori del settore. L’analisi dei “direct deals” applicati ai PFNL conferma che la commodificazione dei PFNL è tale che oggi molti di questi prodotti sono commercializzati in mercati con scala globale. In questo contesto, l’Italia riveste una posizione di leader globale tra i maggiori importatori o esportatori di alcuni prodotti: tannini di origine vegetale, tappi di sughero, castagne e funghi selvatici. Il commercio internazionale di PFNL è in crescita. Ciò può rappresentare un’opportunità per l’Italia, e per l’Unione Europea in generale, per promuovere una gestione forestale sostenibile e multifunzionale, basata anche sui PFNL. L’indagine condotta in Trentino-Alto Adige per i funghi selvatici e le castagne mostra la presenza di diversi tipi di mercati e filiere, basate sia su prodotti locali che non locali, i secondi largamente eccedenti i primi. Le dinamiche che muovono tali mercati sono basate su logiche similari a quelle di tanti altri prodotti, quali i minori costi di produzione che susistono in alcuni paesi esteri. Tuttavia, nella regione ci sono anche filiere basate su PFNL locali. Il commercio imperniato sulla produzione locale è basato su quantità molto minori e la quasi totalità rimane all’interno dei confini regionali. La commercializzazione avviene tramite filiere corte (Short Food Supply Chains), la cui applicazione è considerata ono dei più importanti strumenti per rafforzare lo sviluppo rurale, fornendo diversi benefici sociali, economici e ambientali. Nella regione esistono anche altri MBI applicati ai PFNL. Di particolare importanza sono gli incentivi pubblici per la revitalizzazione del settore castanicolo e i permessi per la raccolta dei funghi. L’analisi circa l’applicazione dei tradable permits al servizio di regolazione che deriva dalla funzione di sequestro del carbonio operato dalle foreste, nell’esempio CDM italiano, mostra che il Governo Italiano partecipa ad un numero relativamente alto di progetti forestali nei paesi in via di sviluppo. Ciò produce un ammontare rilevante di benefici climatici. Tuttavia, la connessione “progetto di carbonio forestale- conservazione delle foreste native” nonè automatica, visto che circa il 55% di queste foreste è stat piantata con specie non native. L’analisi condotta sulle dichiarazioni contenute nei documenti di progetto CDM mostra che tutti i progetti sostengono di aver stimolato l’economia locale, inclusa la generazione di impiego a lungo e breve termine, e di aver coinvolto la popolazione locale. Tuttavia, il sistema di indicatori fornito dall’ United Nation Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) non procura un metodo per valutare quanto un progeto contribuisca allo sviluppo sostenibile. Sarebbero a questo proposito utili integrazioni informative da parte del Governo Italiano, anche considerando il coinvolgimento finanziario rilevante che l’Italia ha in queste attività. Ciò in vista dello sviluppo delle future negoziazioni in ambito UNFCCC. L’analisi dei tradable permits nell’esempio del mercato volontario italiano mostra come il mercato italiano sia un piccolo mercato, che ha mostrato un declino negli anni recenti. I prezzi dei crediti di carbonio, invece, risultano essere in controtendenza. Il mercato italiano è caratterizzato da una presenza bilanciata di associazioni profit e non profit, le quali sviluppano sempre più progetti a piccola e micro scala. Al contrario di quanto accade internazionalmente, si riscontra che la maggior parte dei progetti opera in assenza di certificazione e di standard che assicurino la bontà dei calcoli sulla quantità di carbonio immagazzinato e la generazione di co-benefici. Tuttavia molti progetti utilizzano linee guida e standard interni, strategia messa in atto per contenere i costi dei piccoli progetti, i quali hanno difficoltà a sostenere i costi di certificazione. Tuttavia, tale scelta può essere da molti criticata. Un buon indicatore è invece dato dall’uso quasi esclusivo di specie native nei progetti. Dato che problemi di doppia rendicontazione con il Protocollo di Kyoto possono minare lo sviluppo del settore, esssendoci ora una vacanza legislativa, gli attori del mercato volontario sono in attesa da segnali chiari dal Governo. Con precise direttive potrebbe essere designata una strategia più stabile, anche considerando gli esempi positivi di alcuni mercati domestici in altri paesi europei. La ricerca sui “voluntary price signals” mostra come esistano molti schemi di certificazione che sono applicabili ai PFNL. Hanno obiettivi differenti, ascrivibili con diversa intensità alle sfere di sostenibilità socio-economica, ambientale, e di assicurazione di qualità. Tuttavia, solo due standard (gestione forestale sostenibile e certificazione “wild”) includono specificazioni dettagliate circa la raccolta sostenibile dei PFNL. Essendo l’intera filiera basata sulla presenza della risorsa PFNL, queste specificazioni sono di fondamentale importanza. I MBI sono meccanismi che possono fornire valore economico agli ecosistemi forestali, dando anche maggiore flessibilità di gestione delle risorse e maggior resilienza a situazioni dinamiche. La ricerca mostra che l’applicazione di MBI ai servizi ecosistemici derivanti dalle foreste può essere applicata a scale diverse, dalla locale alla globale. Tuttavia, l’applicazione di MBI non deve essere idealisticamente vista come “la soluzione”; è piuttosto, se attentamente sviluppata e messa in atto, di complemento alle norme esistenti. La definizione dell’opzione migliore dovresse essere designata caso per caso, specialmente mirando ad includere la generazione di aspetti di sostenibilità, con riferimento particolare al luogo dove sono site le risorse forestali. Allo stesso modo, data l’eterogeneità dei MBI e dei contesti a cui sono applicati, l’effettività dei MBI nella gestione e conservazione degli ecosistemi non può essere valutata a priori e dovrebbero essere utilizzati altri indicatori, applicati a scala specifica.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is taking steps to expand bioenergy production in response to federal policy initiatives as well as environmental and energy security concerns. The success of this industry will be impacted by the supply of feedstock available from private individuals who own a majority (78%) of forest resources in the state. Despite a developing body of bioenergy research, little is known concerning the social availability of forest biomass for energy production. This study measures intent to harvest energy wood among family forest owners using a mail-­‐based survey and tests the effect of educational materials provided to participants. The theory of planned behavior is used to model factors that affect landowner intentions. Two-­‐thirds of respondents reported that they intend to include energy wood in future harvests, but the educational material treatment did not affect intentions. Respondents’ attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived control each had a significant effect on intent to harvest. Respondents also identified barriers that may prevent them from harvesting, providing forestry professionals with a list of challenges to overcome if supply is to be maximized. The results of this study are valuable for all stakeholders involved in the development of a sustainable biomass and bioenergy industry.

New Zealand has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels in the first commitment period 2008-2012. Energy generated from renewable sources, such as New Zealand plantation forests and wood processing sites, is considered greenhouse gas neutral. But the use of biomass for bioenergy in New Zealand is very small. Some of the reasons for this include a lack of information about the future fuel supply and delivered cost. This thesis aims to provide a methodology to estimate biomass fuel availability and the delivered cost, of a range of forest and wood processing sources within a district, and to analyse the impact of harvest age, harvesting practices, terrain, collection and chipping costs, opportunity cost and transport costs on the availability and delivered cost of biomass for bioenergy. The six biomass streams included were chiplogs, forest landing residues, cutover residues, sawdust, bark and chip. The methodology was developed based on an area in Canterbury, and tested on an area in the Nelson/Marlborough region. It utilises forest growth models, Geographic Information Systems and Microsoft Excel. Growth models allow the analysis to be customised to a particular area or region, while the use of GIS allows the model to take spatial aspects (for example slope and transport distance) into consideration. Developing the overall framework within Excel allows easy analysis of the results and changes to the underlying assumptions. Opportunity costs make up a large proportion of the total cost of delivery for the chiplog, sawdust, bark and chip biomass and need to be included in any estimate of cost for these biomass streams. The logistic system chosen for collecting and chipping the forest residues has a large impact on their delivered cost as do the transport costs. However transport cost is not the most significant influence on the delivered cost of other biomass streams. The use of biomass for electricity generation only is not currently economic in either of the areas analysed. The use of biomass for heat production is currently economic if compared to the electricity purchase price.

A nationwide mail survey of professional home builders, remodelers, and siding contractors was undertaken to develop a better understanding of professional end users and the patterns of competition in the residential siding market. Perceptual mapping and determinant attribute analysis are demonstrated to have strategic applications in the forest products industry. Four-hundred and twelve respondents provided information related to activities involving siding, product use, and distribution. Product-markets were explored using siding preferences, which were measured for single-family homes in six home price categories. Perceptions of siding materials were used to evaluate the threat that non-wood materials pose to solid wood, hardboard, and plywood sidings. Respondents rated seven siding materials on eleven attributes. Perceptual maps were constructed using multiple discriminant analysis, and preferences were used to locate ideal points. Negative perceptions of all wood products exist in terms of weather resistance and maintenance. Solid wood holds a niche in appearance/status, and remains competitive against brick because of brick's application cost. While solid wood siding remains relatively free from substitution threats, vinyl's threat would increase if repositioned to enhance its appearance/status. Vinyl poses a considerable threat to hardboard and plywood. Hardboard's lack of competitive advantage and position relative to vinyl makes it particularly vunerable to vinyl substitution. Comparisons of users and non-users of each product are made, and general guidelines of using the perceptual map for positioning, promotion, and new product strategies are given.
Master of Science

Most estimates of wood supply do not reflect the true availability of wood resources. The availability of wood resources ultimately depends on collective wood harvesting decisions across the landscape. Both social and biophysical constraints impact harvesting decisions and thus the availability of wood resources. While most constraints do not completely inhibit harvesting, they may significantly reduce the probability of harvest. Realistic assessments of woody availability and distribution are needed for effective forest management and planning. This study focuses on predicting the probability of harvest at forested FIA plot locations in Virginia. Classification and regression trees, conditional inferences trees, random forest, balanced random forest, conditional random forest, and logistic regression models were built to predict harvest as a function of social and biophysical availability constraints. All of the models were evaluated and compared to identify important variables constraining harvest, predict future harvests, and estimate the available wood supply. Variables related to population and resource quality seem to be the best predictors of future harvest. The balanced random forest and logistic regressions models are recommended for predicting future harvests. The balanced random forest model is the best predictor, while the logistic regression model can be most easily shared and replicated. Both models were applied to predict harvest at recently measured FIA plots. Based on the probability of harvest, we estimate that between 2012 and 2017, 10 – 21 percent of total wood volume on timberland will be available for harvesting.
Master of Science

Japan is one of the world’s major importers of wood products. Most of the wood entering the country is destined to Japan’s house building industry. However, Japan has been an indifferent market regarding demand of wood products certified for sustainable forest management. Current pressures that may indicate a shift in market conditions include: the recent economic recovery, increasing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the new government’s public purchasing policies (PPP) titled Timber Procurement Policies. In order to assess the market prospect (in the next 5 years) for wood products certified as coming from sustainable and/or legal sources a study was completed focusing on Japanese home builders. Data was collected through a self administered mail survey of residential builders in Japan. Results show that there is a low level of understanding, as well as willingness to adopt, forest management certification among Japanese builders. Consequently, current market demand for certified products is low and builders expect little change in consumers’ demand for wood materials certified for sustainable management as well as those certified for legality in the next five years. Builders considered the most important potential drivers for increased demand for certified and/or legal wood products to be rigorously implemented public purchasing policies, followed by increasing final consumers’ demand and the growth in CSR. Builders also estimated that the positive impact of PPPs would be rather modest but widespread. Finally, builders indicated that PPPs would favour demand for certain product categories, such as: domestic wood, softwoods, wood from plantation and to a lesser degree wood from temperate forests.

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A lab scale combustion unit was designed, in order to characterise the performance of various woody and wood-based biofuels commonly used for energy production, cooking and heating. The unit was constructed in a way that it could be repeatedly reused and provide similar testing conditions, such as airflow for all samples. The requirements were that it was big enough to contain a fire large enough to yield good time/temperature profiles and at the same time easy to handle, operate and clean. It also had to allow the insertion of the thermocouples and flue gas probe. Time / temperature profiles were obtained and O2, CO2 and CO levels in the flue gas determined for each biofuel. The samples consisted of the five most commonly used fuel wood species in the Western Cape, namely Rooikrans, Camelthorn, Bluegum, Black wattle and vine stumps and five processed products, namely wood pellets, wood briquettes, commercial charcoal, commercial briquettes and handmade briquettes. Combustion time/temperature profiles were obtained for all samples and characteristic values, such as the maximum temperature and coal temperature compared. This allowed an indication of which product performed better than others in the different combustion phases and is more suitable for different requirements, such as industrial heating, or domestic cooking. Even though Bluegum and Camelthorn performed best overall they were not necessarily suited, for example, for large scale industrial use. It was found that wood pellets and charcoal were the best biofuel for industrial purposes, whereas Rooikrans was found to be the best option for small scale use.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Laboratoriumskaal verbrandingseenheid was ontwerp vir die toets en karakterisering van verskeie houtgebaseerde biomassa soorte algemeen in gebruik vir energie opwekking, kook en verhitting. Daar was besluit om ‘n eenheid te bou vir herhaalde gebruik wat die omstandinghede vir elke toets konstant kan hou, bv. ‘n damper om lugvloei deur die sisteem the beheer. Die eenheid moet groot genoeg wees om veilig ‘n groot genoeg vuur the bevat waarmee ‘n goeie tyd/temperatuur profiel verkry kan word, maar terselfdetyd klein genoeg wees om te hanteer, operateer en skoon te maak. Die eenheid moes ook voorsiening maak vir die insteek van die termostate en gas peilstif. Tyd/temperatuur profiele is verkry en O2, CO2 en CO vlakke in die uitlaatgas is bepaal vir elke bio-brandstof. Die monsters was saamgestel uit vyf van die mees algemeen gebruikte brandhout spesies in die Wes Kaap, naamlik Rooikrans, Kameeldoring, Bloekom, Swartwattel en wingerdstompies, asook vyf geprosesseerde produkte naamlik houtpille, houtbrikette, kommersiële steenkool, kommersiële brikette and handgemaakte brikette. Verbranding tyd/temperatuur profiele is verkry vir al die monsters en verteenwoord waardes is daarvan afgelees, bv. die maksimum temperatuur wat bereik is of die temperatuur waar die vlamme uitgesterf het en slegs koolhitte gemeet word. Hierdie profiele het dit moontlik gemaak om te identifiseer watter produk het beter gevaar as ander gedurende die verskillende verbrandingsfases en is beter gepas vir verskillende gebruike, bv. huishoudelike kook en verhitting. Resultate het gedui dat die Bloekom en Kameeldoring die beste gevaar het oor all die toetse heen, maar was nie noodwendig ideaal vir elke spesifieke doel nie. Dit was bevind dat die steenkool en houtpille die beste gepas is vir industriele gebruik en dat die Rooikrans beter geskik is vir huishoudelike en kleinskaalse gebruik.

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The discussion on climate change is leading to a re-evaluation of tree plantations in South Africa; prompting the adoption of forest bioenergy system as one of the cost effective ‘carbon mitigation options’. In an analysis of this changing paradigm, emphasis was placed on the socio-economic aspects of integrated commercial tree plantations and forest bioenergy systems with special attention to harvest residues recovery for bioelectricity production and construction and operation of a bioelectricity plant. The study also explored the direct and indirect benefits that adjacent communities derive from tree plantations in South Africa in order to determine the potential impact of integrated timber and bioelectricity production on rural livelihood and conventional forestry operations. Structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used in randomly sampling twelve villages on Mondi tree plantations in the Piet Retief and Iswepe areas of South Africa. Six villages from each area were selected; and a systematic random sampling of ten households per village was carried out. The possibility of using harvest residues from final clear felling from these plantations for bioelectricity production was examined. The study developed and described a scenario for a five megawatt bioelectricity generation facility, requiring an annual volume of 19,569.85 dry tonnes of residues as feedstock for its operation. The study revealed that adjacent rural communities to Mondi plantations in Piet Retief and Iswepe areas enjoy direct benefits such as employment opportunities, utilization of harvest residues, utilization of non-timber resources, and free accommodation. Indirect benefits that these communities enjoy include: free farmland and graze-land and various social benefits. Issues of concern and dislike such as: lack of electricity; poor health and sanitation and transportation problems were also identified. Using NPV and IRR, the study estimated the economic impacts of integrated pulpwood and bioelectricity production, compared to conventional pulpwood production operation. The study concluded that integrated pulpwood and harvest residue recovery for bioelectricity production is a profitable means of producing renewable energy. The approach was found to increase the profitability of conventional forest operations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Besprekings rondom klimaatsverandering lei tot ‘n her-evaluasie van boom plantasies in Suid Afrika wat aanleiding gee tot die aanvaarding van bio-energie stelsels as een van die koste effektiewe “koolstof versagtende opsies”. In ‘n ontleding van hierdie paradigma verandering, is klem geplaas op die sosio-ekonomiese aspekte van die integrasie van boom plantasies en bos bio-energie stelsels. Spesiale aandag is gegee aan onginningsafval herwinning vir bio-energie produksie en die konstruksie en werking van ‘n bio-elektriese kragsentrale. Die studie ondersoek ook die direkte en indirekte voordele wat gemeenskappe, aangrensend aan boom plantasies in Suid Afrika verkry, om sodoende die potensiële effek van geintegreerde hout en bio-elektriese produksie op landelike lewensbestaan en konvensionele bosbou operasies te bepaal. Gestruktureerde vraelyste en indiepte onderhoude is gebruik om ‘n lukraakte steekproef van twaalf dorpies op Mondi boom plantasies in die Piet Retief en Iswepe areas van Suid Afrika uit te voer. Ses dorpies in elke area is gekies en ‘n sistematiese lukraakte steekproef van tien huishoudings per dorpie is uitgevoer. Die moontlikheid om ontginningsafval van finale kaalkap van hierdie plantasies vir bio-elektrisiteit te gebruik is ook ondersoek. Die studie het ‘n senario ontwikkel en beskryf van ‘n vyf megawatt bio-elektriese kragsentrale wat ‘n jaarlikse volume van 11,708 droë ton ontginningsafval benodig as voermateriaal vir kragopwekking. Die studie het getoon dat aangrensende landelike gemeenskappe langs Mondi plantasies in die Piet Retief en Iswepe areas direkte voordele soos werksgeleenthede, gebruik van ontginningsafval, gebruik van nie-hout hulpbronne en gratis akkommodasie geniet. Indirekte voordele wat gemeenskappe geniet sluit in gratis toegang to landbou grond en weiding, sowel as sosiale voordele. Probleemfaktore waarmee hulle saamleef is ‘n gebrek aan elektrisiteit, swak gesondheids en sanitasie dienste en vervoerprobleme. Deur die gebruik van NPV en IRR analitiese metodes is die ekonomiese impak van geintegreerde pulphout en bio-elektrisiteits produksie bepaal en vergelyk met konfensionele pulphout produksie. Die gevolgtrekking is dat geintegreerde pulphout en ontginningsafval herwinning vir bio-elektrisiteit produksie ‘n winsgewende manier van hernubare energie produksie is. Die benadering kan die winsgewendheid van konfensionele bosbou operasies verbeter.

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential tree taxa that could be grown as a source of biomass in the Cape Winelands region. The trials comprises of two different aspects. The first being the estimation of potential volume, density and biomass of a pair of six year-old stands of E. gomphocephala and E. cladocalyx families at two climatically different sites within the study region. The second part of the study was the early growth assessment of alternative taxa that could be planted in the region compared to the regional mainstay E. cladocalyx. The volume of families was estimated using appropriate volume equations and using the form height were none were available. The best volume yield varied from 4.6 to 11.2 m3 ha-1a-1, at the dry and sub-humid sites, respectively. Wood density, estimated from non-destructive samples at both sites, varied from 620 (sub-humid) to 588 kg m-3 (dry site). The estimated biomass production rate of the top producing families yielded 2.7 and 6.9 t ha -1a -1 at the dry and sub-humid sites, respectively. In terms of estimated biomass and survival, E. gomphocephala was more suited to the dry site, while E. cladocalyx displayed superior yield than E. gomphocephala on the sub-humid site, but not significantly so. Early growth assessment of the trial of alternative taxa found that the hybrid E. grandis × camldulensis and E. grandis × urophylla had superior biomass indices, but were more susceptible to infestation by Thaumastocoris peregrinus and Gonipterus scuttelatus.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om potensiële boom taksa vir gebruik as ’n bron van biomassa in die Kaapse Wynlandstreek te ondersoek. Die proewe behels twee aspekte: eerstens die beraming van die potensiële volume, digtheid en biomassa van sesjaaroue opstande met families van E. gomphocephala en E. cladocalyx by twee klimatologies verskillende groeiplekke in die studiegebied; tweedens die beoordeling van die vroeë groei van alternatiewe taksa wat in die streek geplant kan word in vergelyking met die streek se historiese staatmaker-spesie E. cladocalyx. Die volume van die families is beraam deur gebruik te maak van toepaslike volumevergelykings, en met behulp van ’n vormfaktor waar vergelykings nie beskikbaar was nie. Die volume aanwas by die droë en sub-humiede groeiplekke was onderskeidelik 4.6 en 11.2 m3 ha-1j-1. Houtdigtheid is beraam deur nie-destruktiewe monsters uit die opstand te neem. Gemiddelde digthede het variëer van 588 (sub-humied) tot 620 kg m-3 (droë groeiplek). Die beraamde biomassaproduksie van die top-families beloop onderskeidelik 2.7 en 6.9 t ha -1j -1 vir die droë en sub-humiede groeiplekke. In terme van beraamde biomassa en oorlewing, is E. gomphocephala meer geskik vir droër groeiplekke , terwyl E. cladocalyx by die sub-humiede groeiplek ’n hoër opbrengs as E. gomphocephala getoon het, hoewel nie betekenisvol nie. Beramings van die vroeë groei by die proef met alternatiewe taksa het getoon dat die basters E. grandis × camldulensis en E. grandis × urophylla hoër biomassa-indekse het, maar meer vatbaar is vir besmetting deur Thaumastocoris peregrinus en Gonipterus scuttelatus.
Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
This study is about marketing of Uapaca kirkiana fruit in Zambia, a fruit that has great economic value especially among the rural and urban poor. It contributes to general food security. In southern Africa, farmers and other stakeholders have identified Uapaca as a priority species for domestication. Current agroforestry initiatives are promoting integration of indigenous trees into farming systems to provide marketable products for income generation. Domestication of trees however, depends on expanding the market demand for tree products. There is considerable evidence that expanding market opportunities is critical for the success of domestication innovations but farmers have been introduced to domestication with little consideration for marketing. The existing market potential can be achieved through sound knowledge on markets and marketing. Information on the marketing of Uapaca fruit is inadequate. This study, therefore, aimed at generating information on the marketing of Uapaca kirkiana fruit, including the basic conditions of demand and supply of the fruit. The main study was conducted in Chipata and Ndola districts in the Eastern and Copperbelt provinces respectively, while fruit pricing was conducted in Lusaka district in Lusaka Province. Questionnaires and participatory research methods were used to collect the data. A total of 37 markets involving 49 collectors, 59 retailers, 189 consumers and 20 government forest workers are included in the study. The study reveals that there is demand for the fresh and secondary products of the fruit and hence substantial fruit trading exists in Zambia. However, the marketing system is characterised by underdevelopment. There is insufficient capacity to satisfy the demand for the fruit and institutional /policy support to Uapaca fruit market expansion. Currently, only basic technology for product development exists. The results suggest a need to address policy and capacity development for expansion of Uapaca kirkiana fruit industry. To improve the Uapaca trade industry, the study proposes developing and scaling up policy strategies, fruit processing sector, research-extension-trader-agribusiness linkages, infrastructure development and knowledge generation for improved understanding of the Uapaca fruit markets.

Interest in wood-based bio-energy systems in the United States is increasing and may play a part in future renewable energy initiatives (Dincer 2000). Family forests have potential to play an important role in supplying wood biomass for energy production. However, access depends mostly on the management intentions among family forest owners. Enhanced biomass markets in regions where family forest ownership dominates could increase productivity by reinvigorating the low-value merchandizing required to accomplish silvicultural objectives. Given diverse owner objectives and forest types on family forests, estimates of biomass availability must include both biophysical and social aspects of procurable feedstock. This thesis chronicles a biosocial case study that estimates potential biomass supply from 51 family forests in Virginia and North Carolina. The study occurred within a woodshed centered on the future site of an impending ethanol plant in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. A survey instrument using the theory of planned behavior was used to measure ownership characteristics and intention to harvest. Forest attributes were collected during property visits to estimate potential yields resulting from silvicultural simulations. Results reveal that forest cover-type and tree size significantly affect owner intentions to harvest and owner attitudes toward harvesting partially mediate this relationship. Outputs from silvicultural simulations correspond with those made using Forest Inventory and Analysis data within the study region. Disproportionality was examined by coupling social and biological drivers of sustainable wood biomass availability. Implications of the research include refined estimates of potential supply and demonstrating a multi-scalar, mixed-method approach for assessing wood biomass availability.
Master of Science

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important in rural southwest Virginia as a source of household sustenance and supplemental income. The trade in NTFPs from this region is centuries old and now helps supply growing worldwide demands. Although marketing is a vital part of optimizing the value of these products, it has been ignored in rural natural resource development. This research analyzes marketing systems for selected NTFPs in southwest Virginia by describing marketing chains, interpreting data on important marketing elements, and comparing results within and between different groups of NTFPs. Product categories selected for emphasis are crafts (grapevine wreaths, baskets, furniture, and birdhouses), medicinal and herbal products, specialty wood products (musical instruments), and edible forest products. This qualitative, exploratory study utilizes direct interviews with fifty market players at various levels in marketing chains. Results provide information on NTFP products, value addition, market outlets, pricing, promotion, distribution, and marketing chains. Hundreds of people are involved with the NTFP trade in southwest Virginia and marketing can help ameliorate negative effects of job scarcity. The greatest opportunity for local level marketing exists for market players of crafts and specialty wood products. Medicinal and herbal products are the only category which very little local value addition takes place within the region and as a result, market players have minimal control over marketing. Edible forest products are not marketed but are collected only for consumption in the household. Several opportunities for marketing include improving market access for crafts and specialty wood products, increasing production through cultivation for medicinal and herbal products, and developing capacity for edible product cultivation.
Master of Science

Biomes classified as Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) and the Chilean Mediterranean forest (CMF) have been affected by anthropic pressure that has caused a considerable decrease of their forest surfasse. However, they are rich in biodiversity and they provide many ecosystem services and were, therefore, classified as \"hotspots\" (forests in risk). Therefore, is essential to study the natural dynamics and the climatic response of the trees of these forests to include conservation projects and strategic measures. To achieve these objectives, the scientific literature reports that tree growth rings are the only ecological indicators with annual resolution that can be efficient and highly accurate to obtain this information. In this context, the research project has as main objective the retrospective analysis of radial growth of forest species in different vegetation communities of BAF and CMF in response to climatic changes. To achieve this goal, four key questions were elaborated: 1) Which variable explains betterthe variability of radial growth at different spatial and temporal scales? 2) What is the growth resilience to recent climate changes? 3) Is there some more vulnerable population to expected climatic changes?. A total of five sites (seven populations) of Cedrela odorata and C. fissilis in BAF from the State of São Paulo in Brazil, and five sites (10 populations) of Nothofagus macrocarpa (FMC) from the central region of Chile were sampled, using a non-destructive method. Four chapters were developed to answer these questions. Chapter I seek to analyze the resilience in radial growth to changes in regional climate variability and droughts, in temporal and spatial scale, on Atlantic forest remnant forests of biogeographic region Serra do Mar. Results show that radial growth in wet sites (winter rains exceed 240 mm) depend on the moisture conditions in dry season, while the higher population is more sensitive to the favorable summer water condition, which would be explained because this population received a lower temperature than the other Cedrela spp. populations studied. Chapter II analyzed how recent climatic variability affected the radial growth in N. macrocarpa populations. It is observed that all the populations are closely linked to the precipitations of May-November (end of autumn/end of spring) and average temperature of October-December (mid-spring/early summer). In Chapter III, we continued exploring the growth responses to climate in the FMC populations in order to find biogeographic differences. In this sense, we evaluated if this significant decrease in tree growth is differentiated between populations and age classes, and determine if the positive effect of CO2 fertilization compensates the precipitation decrease and temperature increase in the last decades in the growth of older, maturer and younger trees . Results show a significant negative trend in all classes from the year 2000, which would be associated to a decrease in precipitation in all populations while temperature was more associated with the northern and southern populations (distribution limit). We did not find a positive effect of rising CO2. Finally, chapter IV integrated the results of the two biomes comparing the projections of aboveground trees biomass under two climatic scenarios of CMIP5 project (light and severe), in order to know which populations are more vulnerable to rising temperature forecasted by year 2100, using ring width data, wood density and allometric equations. This study will provide an overview of adaptation to recent and projected climatic changes of two hotspot neotropical biomes. Although they are different in structure-biodiversity-climate are in risk. Thus, we can understand the vulnerability of threatened forests in South America to global warming that, although they are in protected areas, does not guarantee their persistence.
Os biomas classificados como Mata Atlancia Brasileira (MAB) e da Floresta Mediterrânea Chilena (FMC) têm sido afetados pela pressão antrópica que tem causado uma diminuição considerável de sua superfície florestal. No entanto são ricas em biodiversidade e providenciam muitos serviços ecossistêmicos, pelo que foram classificadas como hotspot (florestas em risco). Portanto, é fundamental estudar a dinâmica natural e a resposta climática das árvores dessas florestas para incluir em projetos de conservação. Para atingir esses objetivos, a literatura científica reporta que os anéis de crescimento das árvores são os únicos indicadores ecológicos com resolução anual que podem ser eficientes e de elevada precisão para obter essas informações. Neste contexto, o projeto de pesquisa tem como objetivo geral a analise retrospectivo de crescimento radial de espécies florestais em diferentes comunidades vegetacionais da MAB e FMC em resposta às mudanças climaticas. Para atingir esse objetivo foram elaboradas quatro perguntas-chave: 1) Que variable explica melhor a variabilidade do crescimento radial a diferentes escalas espaciais e temporais? 2) Qual é a resiliência em crescimento das árvores às mudanças climáticas recentes? 3) Há alguma população mais vulnerável respeito às mudanças climaticas esperadas?. Foram coletadas amostras de lenho, através de método não destrutivo, de cinco sitios (sete populações) de Cedrela odorata e C. fissilis na MAB no estado de São Paulo em Brasil, e cinco sitios (10 populações) de Nothofagus macrocarpa na FMC na região central do Chile, para aplicação de tecnicas dendrocronologicas. Para responder essas questões foram desenvolvidos quatro capitulos. O capitulo I busca analisar a resiliência em crescimento radial às mudanças na variabilidade climática regional e secas, em escala temporal e espacial, em florestas remanentes da região biogeográfica Serra do Mar da Mata Atlântica, usando as especies bioindicadoras Cedrela fissilis and C. odorata. Os resultados mostram que o crescimento radial dos sítios mais úmidos (chuvas no inverno superam os 240 mm) dependem das condições hidricas da estação seca, enquanto que a população mais alta é mais sensível à condição hídrica favorável do verão, qual seria explicado porque essa população recebi uma menor temperatura respeito às outras populações de cedrela estudadas. No capitulo II analisou-se como a variabilidade climática recente estaria afeitando o crescimento radial in N. macrocarpa populations. Observa-se que todas as populações estão estreitamente ligadas às precipitações de Maio-Novembro (fim de outono/fim de primaveira) e temperatura média de Outubro-Dezembro (mediados de primaveira/inicios do verão). Especificamente, há uma tendencia negativa significativa no crescimento radial apartir de 1980 que esta associada a uma variação do clima regional. No capitulo III, continuo-se explorando as respostas do crescimento radial ao clima nas populações da FMC com objetivo de encontrar diferencias biogeográficas. Neste sentido, foi avaliado se essa diminuição significativa de crescimento é diferenciada entre populações e classes de idade, e analisar se o efeito positivo da fertilização de CO2 compensa a diminuição da precipitação e aumento da temperatura nas ultimas decadas no crescimento de árvores velhos, maduros e jovens. Os resultados mostram uma tendencia negativa significativa em todas as clases apartir do ano 2000, qual estaria associada a diminuição da precipitação em todas as populações enquanto a temperatura teve mais associada às populações do sul. Não foi encontrado um efeito positivo do aumento de CO2. Finalmente, o capitulo IV integrou os resultados dos dois biomas comparando as proyeções de biomasa arborea sob dois escenarios climáticos do projeto CMIP5 (leve e severo), com objetivo de conocer quais populações são mais vulneraveis ao aumento da temperature previsto para o ano 2100, usando crescimento radial, densidade de madeira e ecuações alométricas. Os resultados mostram que a população com maior influencia urbana e a mais seca são as mais vulneráveis ao aumento exarcerbado de temperatura nas regiões de MAB and FMC, respectivamente. O presente estudo permitiu-nos apresentar uma visão da adaptação às mudanças climáticas recentes e projetadas de dois biomas hotspot. Embora sejam diferentes em estrutura-biodiversidade-clima estão em risco. Assim, podemos entender a vulnerabilidade de florestas neotropicais ao aquecimento global, embora estejam em áreas protegidas, não garante sua persistência.

Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Access to secure energy supplies is widely acknowledged as a critical foundation for sustainable development. Rural households are highly dependent on forest resources for their livelihoods including energy needs. Fuelwood is a non-timber forest product (NTFP) that accounts for one of the main uses of forests and woodlands. Despite substantial household electrification programmes in South Africa, the use of fuelwood as a source of energy continues. This study aimed to analyze fuelwood use patterns of two rural villages situated in Keiskammahoek in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in order to understand the perceptions of the community members regarding communal tree planting. The study was conducted in two rural villages, namely, Cata and Tshoxa. A total of 120 respondents from both villages were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to collect data on the use of fuelwood and evaluate their perception on tree planting. The study revealed that up to 77% of the people living in Keiskammahoek used fuelwood as a major source of energy and that women were the main collectors and users of fuelwood. In the rural Cata, food is cooked in three-legged pots over open fires while in Tshoxa food is mainly cooked over paraffin and electric stoves. The respondents from both villages did not have energy conservation measures in place and improved wood stoves have not been introduced in this region. The local community of Cata was also involved in tree planting on a community level, while both villages were also involved in tree planting at a household level. The study concluded that fuelwood was the most important product from the forests in both rural areas and natural forests were a valuable source of other NTFPs; most notably indigenous fruit products. In addition most of the fuelwood was used for cooking and heating purposes but that there was no deliberate use of energy efficient methods. On tree planting, the study showed that communities from both rural villages have an interest in planting trees around their households; with preference for fruit and shade trees.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toegang tot betroubare energieverskaffing word algemeen erken as 'n uiters belangrike grondslag vir volhoubare ontwikkeling. Plattelandse huishoudings is hoogs afhanklik van bosbronne vir hul bestaan, met inbegrip van energiebehoeftes. Brandhout is 'n nie-hout bosproduk (NHBP) wat beskou word as een van die hoofgebruike van woude en boslande. Nieteenstaande wesenlike elektrifiseringsprogramme vir huishoudings in Suid-Afrika, duur die gebruik van brandhout as 'n bron van energie voort. Hierdie studie het beoog om die gebruikspatrone van brandhout van twee plattelandse dorpe in Keiskammahoek in die Oos-Kaapse Provinsie van Suid-Afrika te ontleed en om die begrip van die gemeenskap aangaande die gemeenskaplike plant van bome te verstaan. Die studie is in twee plattelandse dorpe, naamlik Cata en Tshoxa, uitgevoer. Onderhoude is gevoer met 'n totaal van 120 respondente van beide dorpe deur die gebruik van halfgestruktureerde vraelyste om gegewens oor die gebruik van brandhout in te samel en die respondente se begrip van die plant van bome te evalueer. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat tot 77% van die mense wat in Keiskammahoek woon, brandhout as 'n hoofbron van energie gebruik en dat vrouens die hoofgaarders en gebruikers van brandhout is. In die landelike Cata word kos in driepootpotte op oop vure gekook terwyl kos in Tshoxa hoofsaaklik op paraffien- en elektriese stowe gekook word. Die respondente van beide dorpe het nie energiebesparingsmaatreëls in plek gehad nie en verbeterde houtstowe is nog nie in hierdie streek ingebring nie. Die plaaslike gemeenskap van Cata was ook betrokke by die plant van bome op 'n gemeenskapsvlak, terwyl beide dorpe ook betrokke was by die plant van bome op 'n huishoudelike vlak. Die studie het tot ’n gevolgtrekking gekom dat brandhout die belangrikste produk van die woude in beide plattelandse gebiede is en dat die natuurlike woude 'n belangrike bron van ander NHBP’s is; veral inheemse vrugteprodukte. Daarbenewens is meeste van die brandhout gebruik vir kook- en verhittingsdoeleindes, maar daar was geen doelbewuste gebruik van energiedoeltreffende metodes nie. Op die gebied van die plant van bome het die studie getoon dat die gemeenskappe van beide plattelandse dorpe belange het in die plant van bome rondom hulle huishoudings; met voorkeur aan vrugte- en skadubome.

The PhD Thesis focuses on two topics: (i) assessment of forest wood and carbon (C) stock and (ii) forestry mechanization applicable at the forest stand level for any given conditions among those found in the Italian Alpine and pre-Alpine mountainous areas. Both these topics aim to improve the use of forestry resources for climate change mitigation, starting from a bottom-up approach scaled on the information made available by Forest Management Plans (FMP). After an introduction on the topics given in chapter 1, the first topic (assessment of forest wood and C stock) is investigated in chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5, by taking the Valle Camonica District (Lombardy Region, Italy) as Case Study Area. The aim is to develop a stand-level model to estimate the mass of wood (t·yr-1 dry matter, DM) and C (t·yr-1 C) in aboveground wood biomass, belowground wood biomass and dead organic matter (i.e., deadwood and litter), quantifying, at the same time, the mass of potentially available logging residues (i.e., branches and tops; t·yr-1 DM) for energy generation and the corresponding potentially generated energy (GJ·yr-1), under the assumption that wood replaces non-renewable energy sources. Chapter 2 presents the first version of the model, called “WOody biomass and Carbon ASsessment” (WOCAS v1), aimed at the quantification of the mass of wood and C in the forest pools in a predefined reference year, by using a methodology already applied at the regional and national level. The model was tested on a dataset of 2019 public forest stands extracted from 45 FMPs (area: 37000 ha) covering the period from 1984 (year in which the oldest FMP came into force) to 2016 (most recent available data from the local FMPs). Preliminary results showed that, in 2016, the total C stock (given by the sum of C stock in aboveground wood biomass, belowground wood biomass, and dead organic matter) achieved 76.02 t·ha-1 C. The model also gives the possibility to analyze future scenarios based on the continuation of the current management practices rather than improved practices, to define a possible mitigation strategy for the activation of a local Voluntary Carbon Market. WOCAS v1 was implemented into a second version (WOCAS v2), by introducing, first of all, an improved methodology to calculate the mass of wood (t·yr-1 DM) and C (t·yr-1 C) within the forest pools from the year in which the FMPs entry into force until a predefined reference year (chapter 3). The main innovative aspect of the improved methodology is that the gross annual increment of each stand is calculated through an age-independent theoretical non-linear growth function based on the merchantable stem mass, solving the limitation of WOCAS v1 in which the gross annual increment of the stand is assumed as constant, as reported by the FMPs. This improved methodology was applied to the same dataset used for WOCAS 1 (i.e., 2019 forest stands, 45 FMPs; forest area: 37000 ha; period: 1984-2016). The total weighted average wood yield, calculated as the sum of wood yield in all the above-mentioned forest pools, ranged from 53.36±53.13 t∙ha-1∙yr-1 DM (1984) to 156.38±79.76 t∙ha-1∙yr-1 DM (2016). The total weighted average C yield ranged from 26.63±26.80 t∙ha-1∙yr-1 C (1984) to 77.45±40.19 t∙ha-1∙yr-1 C (2016). The average C yield related to the whole analyzed period (1984-2016) was 66.04 t∙ha-1 C. Of this, C yield in the aboveground wood biomass, belowground wood biomass and dead organic matter was equal to 72.0%, 15.8% and 12.2%, respectively. Validation of the results at the stand level was performed by comparing the value of the gross annual increment provided by the FMPs with the one predicted by WOCAS v2. The model caused, in some cases, an overestimation and, in other cases, an underestimation. For example, for Larix decidua Mill. and for Picea abies L., the Pearson coefficient of correlation (r2) between predicted and provided increments was r2 = 0.69 and r2 = 0.46, respectively. This was due to the fact that the methodology currently implemented into WOCAS v2 is based on average values of growth parameters valid for the whole Lombardy Region, and does not consider the productivity class of the stands since specific information was not always made available by the FMPs. WOCAS v2 also includes an innovative methodology (chapter 4 and chapter 5) to quantify – as an additional climate change mitigation strategy – the mass of potentially available residues (t·yr-1 DM) for energy generation, the potentially generated heat and electricity (GJ·yr-1) and the potentially avoided CO2 emissions into the atmosphere related to the final combustion process (t·yr-1 CO2), under the assumption that wood substituted non-renewable energy sources. In chapter 4, since not all the required data were initially made available for the Case Study Area, the mass of residues was computed by considering only the stand’s function and the stand’s management system, covering the period from 1994 (year in which the first wood cut was performed) to 2016. The calculation was then improved (chapter 5) by taking into account also the stand’s accessibility, the forest roads’ transitability and the energy market demand. Information on topographic features, landscape morphology and characteristics of the forest roads were collected by combining the FMPs data coming from WOCAS v2 and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The georeferenced stands were characterized by both single contiguous areas (single stands), as well as different non-contiguous areas (sub-stands). Overall, 2157 polygons – consisting of both single and sub-stands – were analyzed, covering the period from 2009 (most recent available data on forest roads’ transitability) and 2016. The mass of potentially available residues calculated for the analyzed period was used to estimate the current sustainable supply (i.e., 1.82∙103±6.61∙102 t·yr-1 DM). Under the hypothesis that these residues were prepared into woodchips to feed the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit of the local centralized heating plant of Ponte di Legno, the potentially generated heat and electricity (GJ·yr-1) and the potentially avoided CO2 emissions into the atmosphere (t∙yr-1 CO2) for the final combustion process were estimated by assuming that: (i) heat generated by the ORC unit replaced the one produced by natural gas-based heating plants; (ii) electricity generated by the ORC unit replaced the one generated by the Italian natural gas-based plants-mix for combined heat and electricity production and distributed through the National grid. Results showed that if only the current sustainable mass of residues was used to feed the ORC unit of the plant, the potentially generated heat and electricity would represent at most 28.7% of that generated by the unit in the year 2019. The thermal and electric power would be equal to 0.70 MW and 0.17 MW, with an average power load of the ORC unit of 23.6%. Experimental tests are needed to collect information on the harvesting method, used machines and technologies – which considerably affect the mass of available resides – as well as the currently harvested mass of residues for the validation of the results, that up to now is not possible since no measured data are available yet at the stand level. The second topic (forestry mechanization) is investigated in chapter 6. The aim is to develop an innovative approach in order to: (i) select the most suitable Forestry Machinery Chain (FMC) to adopt at the stand level for wood collection (harvesting and transport) and (ii) compute the economic costs (€·h-1; €·t-1 DM; €) of the selected FMC. To make the selection feasible, a user-friendly stand-level model called “FOREstry MAchinery chain selection” (FOREMA v1) was developed. FOREMA v1 supports the user in selecting the FMC according to seven technical parameters that characterize the stand. For each FMC, the model defines the sequence of the operations and the types of machines that can be used. The economic costs of the selected FMC are then quantified by taking into account the fixed and the variable costs. The approach was applied for a Case Study concerning the collection of woodchips from a coppice stand in the Italian Alps for energy generation. The analyzed FMC was made up of the following operations: (i) felling, (ii) bunching and extraction, (iii) chipping and (iv) loading and transport. For the whole FMC, the cost per unit of time was 669.3 €·h-1; the cost per unit of product was 113.0 €·t DM, whereas the cost of production amounted to 6893.2 €. Results provided by FOREMA v1 still need to be validated; experimental tests are required to collect information on the operating conditions in which the machines are actually used and, consequently, on the corresponding economic costs. Obtained results on the costs of the operations were compared with that reported in literature and related to studies performed under similar forestry and operating conditions.

Human pressure on forest resources increased significantly during the past decades through land use and land use change, especially in the tropics where forest clearing is a major source of CO2 release in the atmosphere. Consequently, forests are the focus of international environmental policies and discussions aiming to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (i.e. REDD+). The capacity of participating countries to regularly provide accurate forests C stocks measurements at a national scale thus represents an important challenge to address. In dense forests, generally only the above ground biomass (AGB) is measured as it accounts for more than 50% of total C stocks. However, important gaps remain at each scale of measurement, i.e. from felled tree to regional mapping, with the resulting errors propagation through these different scales being probably the most concerning issue.

In the present work, we propose to address these issues by using a multi-scale approach in order to improve our global understanding of AGB variations in dense tropical forests of Central Africa. In particular, we studied (i) forest AGB prediction from remote-sensing textural analysis, (ii) the potential role of largest trees as predictor of the entire forest-stand AGB and (iii) intra- and inter-individual radial variation of wood specific gravity (WSG, i.e. oven-dry mass divided by its green volume) and its potential consequences on the estimation of the AGB of the tree.

First, we analyzed the potential use of textural analysis to predict AGB distribution based on very high spatial resolution satellite scenes. In particular, we used the Fast Fourier Transform Ordination (FOTO) method to predict AGB from heterogeneous forest stands of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Here, based on 26 ground plots of 1-ha gathered from the field, plus a successful combination of Geoeye and Quickbird contrasted scenes, we were able to predict and to map AGB with a robust model (R² = 0.85; RMSE = 15%) based on textural gradients.

Secondly, the research of AGB indicators was focused on the dissection of the role played by largest trees. Here we found largest trees not only hold large share of forest carbon stock but they contain the print of most of forest-stand structure and diversity. Using a large dataset from western Cameroon to eastern DRC, we developed a non-linear model to predict forest carbon stock from the measurement of only a few large trees. We found the AGB of the 5 % largest stems allow to predict the AGB of the entire forest-stand yielding an R² of 0.87 at a regional scale. Focusing on largest trees species composition, we also showed only 5 % of species account for 50 % of total AGB.

In the end, we investigated inter- and intra-individual WSG variations. Despite recognized inter- and intra-specific variations along the radial axis, their ecological determinants and their consequences on trees aboveground biomass assessments remain understudied in tropical regions. To our knowledge, it has never been investigated in Africa. Using a 3-D X-Ray scanner, we studied the radial WSG variation of 14 canopy species of DRC tropical forests. Wood specific gravity variance along the radial profile was dominated by differences between species intercepts (~76%), followed by the differences between their slope (~11%) and between individual cores intercept (~10%). Residual variance was minimal (~3%). Interestingly, no differences were found in the comparison of mean WSG observed on the entire core and the mean WSG at 1-cm under the bark (intercept ~0; coefficient = 1.03). In addition, local values of WSG are strongly correlated with mean value in the global data base at species level.

I deeply believe these results favor the development of promising tools to map and to estimate accurately the AGB of tropical forest-stands. The information provided by largest trees on the entire forest-stand is particularly interesting both for developing new sampling strategies for carbon stocks monitoring and to characterize tropical forest-stand structure. In particular, our results should provide the opportunity to decrease current sampling cost while decreasing its main related uncertainties, and might also favor an increase of the current sampling coverage.

Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The thesis explores the evolution of environmental service (ES) commercialization in the Veneto's mountain areas, thought the implementation of payment for environmental service (PES) schemes. Starting with the description of general theory beyond PES based on the principal statement of the contract theory, we introduce the ES commercialization through the analysis of an alternative forest business, based on recreational wild mushroom picking (RWMP) that became recently an important income source for forest managers in mountain areas. Across a multiple case study, the role of governance of WM resources have been highlight arguing the need to have a direct link between WM resources and stakeholder coordination. The case of RWMP has been used to introduce the concepts of ES user's direct utility and ES commercialization by bottom up initiatives; scarcely addressed in water sector, where a top-down approach by the central government prevails. Finally, an estimation of Veneto dwellers'€™ willingness to pay (WTP) has been assessed through a choice experiment application, to highlight key factors determining their preferences to spend for ES provision improvement. The results confirm the attitude of people to have higher WTP for the ES directly used, even if a key role is played by people knowledge to create ES demand.
La tesi esplora l'€™evoluzione della commercializzazione dei servizi ambientali nelle foreste montane del Veneto, attraverso l'€™adozione di schemi di pagamento per servizi ambientali (PES). Iniziando con la descrizione della teoria dei PES basata nei principi cardine della teoria dei contratti, si introduce lo sviluppo della commercializzazione dei sevizi ambientali attraverso lo sviluppo di attività  forestali alternative basate sulla raccolta di funghi selvatici ai fini ricreativi (RWMP), diventata oggi una importante fonte di reddito per i gestori della foresta. Attraverso un caso studio multiplo si evidenzia il ruolo della gestione delle risorse fungine sostenendo la necessita, in politiche di commercializzazione degli ES, di creare un legame diret-to tra gestione delle risorse fungine e l'€™azione di coordinamento degli attori coinvolti. Il caso dei RWMP è stato utilizzato per introdurre i concetti di commercializzazione dei servizi ambientali e utilità  diretta degli utilizzatori dei servizi ambientali; questi concetti sono stati scarsamente utilizzati in altri casi di commercializzazione degli ES, come per esempio nel settore idrico, dove prevale l'€™approccio di imposizione di vincoli dal governo centrale. Infine, la disponibilità  a pagare da parte dei residenti del Veneto è stata stimata attraverso l'€™applicazione di un esperimento di scelta, per evidenziare i fattori determinanti che spingono le persone a esprimere una volontà  di spendere per migliorare la produzione di servizi ambientali. I risultati confermano l'€™attitudine delle persone ad avere una maggiore WTP per i servizi ambientali utilizzati, anche se il ruolo della conoscenza delle persone gioca un ruolo chiave nella creazione della domanda di servizi ambientali.

Dedicated energy crops have the potential to supply a sustainable biomass feedstock to support the bioenergy industry. However, a major constraint for promoting energy crops has been the availability of land for establishing energy crops. In this study, we developed a spatially-explicit model to identify suitable and economically feasible sites for establishing energy crops based on biomass price, production costs and site-specific biomass productivity. Results from our study provided an objective evaluation of factors that influence the amount and spatial distribution of land suitable for establishing energy crops. In addition, our model had the ability to capture variation across the feasible areas because of changing biomass market and policy conditions. By performing a sensitivity analysis with different market and policy scenarios, we were able to identify the most effective and favorable scenarios that could maximize the available land for producing energy crops.

Thesis (MFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is aimed at testing the possibility of using woody biomass from three invasive woody vegetation types (Spider Gum, Myrtle and Acacia) for production of bioenergy in the Cape Agulhas Plain. Physical recoverability of the woody biomass was studied by means of a semi-mechanized harvesting system to evaluate potential productivity, operational costs and the estimated yield energy gain. The system consisted of five components: manual harvesting, motor-manual harvesting, extraction, chipping and road transport. Data on the system productivity was obtained using activity sampling and time study techniques. Activity sampling was applied on manual and motor-manual harvesting in order to record harvesting time and standard time study techniques were used to obtain time data for extraction, chipping and road transport operations. Findings revealed benefits associated with the utilisation of invasive woody vegetation as energy feedstock. Therefore, the problem of exotic tree species can be dealt with by transforming them into energy feedstock, thus minimising the effect of invasive plants. At the same time essential biomass energy can be produced, while some of the cost of production could be offset by the benefits accruing from the biomass energy. The Acacia site, characterized by larger mature dense trees, had the highest amount of harvested biomass compared to the rest of the vegetation types (i.e. Myrtle and Spider Gum). The overall system productivity was found to be significantly influenced by a low equipment utilisation rate, estimated at 50%. This resulted in low production rates in general. The low supply rate of material to the chipper by the three-wheeled loader (1.5 – 5.3 oven-dry tonne per production machine hour) was found to be a major constraint in the chipping process, especially when considering that the chipper is potentially capable of chipping 4 – 9.4 ODT PMH-1 at the harvesting sites. This resulted in a significant energy balance of 463 GJ between output and input energy of the system. The overall total supply chain system costs based various road transport distances of species ranged from R 322.77 ODT-1 to R 689.76 ODT-1 with an average of R 509 ODT-1. This was found to be costly compare to the case where high machine utilisation rate and optimal productivity are used (average of R 410 ODT-1), biomass recoverability in this field trial had a higher total system cost due to low productivity, resulting from the low equipment utilisation rate applied.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was gemik daarop om die moontlikheid van die gebruik van houtagtige biomassa, afkomstig van uitheemse plantegroei (Bloekom, Mirte en Akasias) op die Agulhasvlakte vir bio-energie te ondersoek. Potensiële produktiwiteit, bedryfskostes en die geskatte energie opbrengs toename is gebruik, om die fisiese opbrengs van houtagtige biomassa van ʼn semi-gemeganiseerde ontginningstelsel te evalueer. Die stelsel het uit vyf komponente bestaan: Handontginning, motor-handontginning, uitsleep, verspandering en padvervoer. Data oor die stelselproduktiwiteit is uit tydstudie en aktiwiteit steekproewe verkry. Aktiwiteit steekproewe is toegepas op hand- en motorhandontgining om ontginingstyd te verkry, terwyl tydstudie standaardtegnieke gebruik is om tyd data vir uitsleep, verspandering en padvervoer werksaamhede te verkry. Bevindings het die voordele met bettrekking tot die gebruik van uitheemse plantegroei as energiebron bevestig. Die uitdaging rondom die verspreiding van uitheemse plantegroei kan dus aangespreek word deur dit as energiebron te benut. Die produksiekoste vir die toegang tot die bruikbare biomassa kan moontlik voorsien word uit die voordele van die gebruik van die energie wat uit die benutting van die biomassa verkry word. Die groter meer volwasse en digte Akasia opstand het die meeste ontginde biomassa gelewer vergeleke met die ander opstande in die studie (d.i. Mirte en Bloekom). Die stelselproduktiwiteit is beduidend beïnvloed deur die lae toerustinggebruik wat minder as 50% beloop het. Dit het ook laer produksievermoë in die algemeen tot gevolg gehad. In die verspandering werksaamheid blyk die lae invoer tempo (1.5 – 5.3 oonddroog ton per produktiewe masjienuur) van die driewiellaaier die beperking op die proses te wees, veral as in ag geneem word dat die verspandering teen 4-9.4 ODT PMH-1 kan geskied. Die resultaat was ʼn beduidende energie balans van 463 GJ tussen uitset- en invoerenergie van die stelsel. Die totale toevoerketting kostes gegrond op verskeie padvervoer afstande van die spesies was tussen R 322.77 ODT-1 tot R 689.76 ODT-1, met ʼn gemiddelde rondom R 509 ODT-1. Die resultaat is duur gevind in vergeleke met gevalle waar hoë masjiengebruik en optimale produktiwiteit (gemiddeld van R 410 ODT-1), moontlik was. Die biomassaherwinning in die studie het ʼn hoër totale stelselkoste gehad veroorsaak deur lae produktiwiteit, wat verwant is aan die laer toerusting gebruikstempo wat verkry is.

Since the 19th century the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere hasincreased by 40 percent as an effect of the use of fossil energy sources.Increased concentration of CO2 will likely lead to increased temperature,changes in precipitation, rising sea level and increased frequency of extremeweather like storm events. A step to reduce emissions of CO2 and mitigateclimate change, for the property of Tagel, can be to adopt new silviculturalstrategies and analyse which is the most effective. As a result of that, threescenarios was produced, business-as-usual (BAU), increased set aside landand energy. An introduction of windpower at Tagels estate (property) andeffects on carbon balance was also examined. By using the Heureka systemand LCA-analysis in this study, it showed that the scenario of increased setaside land was the most efficient way to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions for the analysed period of 100 years. The effect of substitution(replacing for example fossil fuel or energy consuming building materials,with renewable raw material such as biomass) didn’t give the result that waspredicted. It appears that the use of pulpwood is very important, if it goes tothe pulp industry no substitution effect occurs, but if all pulp will be used forbioenergy purposes, the energy scenario will be the best in terms of overallcarbon balance. The stored carbon in tree biomass over and in roots wasaffected by all scenarios. The soil carbon was almost the same for allscenarios. In the future the property of Tagel can still use the alternativeBAU as an effective way to mitigate climate change but then explore thepossibilities to use the pulp for bioenergy purposes instead and to set asidemore land at the property. This study considered to have high credibilitybecause the Heureka-analyses, LCA and the substitution model were carriedout by experts in area of research.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
This study aimed to quantify and characterize forest biomass by determining the biomass production, the power calorific value, of basic density and energy productivity of species: Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth and Ateleia glazioviana Baill, distributed in different planting space: 2.0x1.0 m; 2.0x1.5 m; 3.0x1.0 m and 3.0x1.5 m, the first and third year after planting. Therefore, it was considered an experiment located in the city of Frederico Westphalen-RS, installed in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a split-plot. After the felling of the trees were removed disks of 2.0 cm thick at positions Tree: 0% (base), 1.30 m (diameter at breast height - DBH), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the total height, for evaluations of wood biomass and bark, power calorific value and higher basic density. To determine the biomass and power calorific value upper branches and leaves, stratified samples were taken and determined its final weight. The determination of power calorific value of the trees was carried out from the weighting of the values obtained in each compartment (wood, bark, twig and leaf). The determination of basic density weighted was performed from the weight of the total shelled with values recorded discs collected at different positions along the stem. Since the energy productivity of biomass was determined from the values of aboveground biomass and power calorific value of each compartment. The results showed that different planting spacing produced different amounts of aboveground biomass and hence the energy productivity of four tree species studied in the first and third year after planting. Minors planting spacing led to an increase in biomass production per unit area in different species, and we found a systematic tendency negative to living space provided, mainly influenced by the number of trees in the different spacing. Thus, species that have excelled in the production of biomass were Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mearnsii. The basic density weighted of the wood did not show a variation of increase or decrease over time, and the species Acacia mearnsii and Ateleia glazioviana showed the highest values of this property. However, the different levels spacing did not induce the systematic variation of power calorific value and higher basic density in the studied species. The energy yields obtained in the third year, for all species are higher than those of the first year. The species Eucalyptus grandis has the greatest potential for energy productivity, followed by Acacia mearnsii, Mimosa scabrella, Ateleia glazioviana. It is recommended to use the lowest row spacing (2.0 x 1.0 m) for all studied forest species in short rotation plantations with greater production of biomass for energy purposes.
Esse estudo teve como objetivo quantificar e caracterizar a biomassa florestal através da determinação da produção de biomassa, do poder calorífico superior, da massa específica básica e da produtividade energética das espécies: Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth e Ateleia glazioviana Baill, distribuídas em diferentes espaçamentos de plantio: 2,0x1,0 m; 2,0x1,5 m; 3,0x1,0 m e 3,0x1,5 m, no primeiro e terceiro ano após o plantio. Para tanto, foi analisado um experimento situado no município de Frederico Westphalen-RS, instalado em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados com três repetições, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Após a derrubada das árvores, foram retirados discos de 2,0 cm de espessura nas posições do tronco: 0% (base), 1,30 m (diâmetro à altura do peito - DAP), 25%, 50%, 75% e 100% da altura total, para as avaliações da biomassa de madeira e casca, poder calorífico superior e massa específica básica. Para a determinação da biomassa e poder calorífico superior dos galhos e folhas, foram retiradas amostras estratificadas e determinadas seu peso final. A determinação do poder calorífico superior das árvores foi realizada a partir da ponderação dos valores obtidos em cada compartimento (madeira, casca, galho e folha). A determinação da massa específica básica ponderada foi realizada a partir da ponderação do volume total sem casca com os valores verificados dos discos coletados em diferentes posições ao longo do tronco. Já a produtividade energética da biomassa foi determinada a partir dos valores de biomassa da parte aérea e do poder calorífico superior de cada compartimento. Os resultados indicaram que os diferentes espaçamentos de plantio proporcionaram diferentes quantidades de biomassa da parte aérea e, consequentemente, na produtividade energética das quatro espécies florestais estudadas, no primeiro e terceiro ano após o plantio. Os menores espaçamentos de plantio conduziram a um aumento na produção de biomassa por unidade de área nas diferentes espécies estudadas, sendo verificada uma tendência sistemática negativa em relação ao espaço vital proporcionado, influenciados principalmente pelo número de árvores presentes nos diferentes espaçamentos. Assim, as espécies que se destacaram na produção de biomassa foram o Eucalyptus grandis e Acacia mearnsii. A massa específica básica ponderada da madeira não apresentou uma variação de acréscimo ou decréscimo ao longo do tempo, sendo que as espécies Acacia mearnsii e Ateleia glazioviana apresentaram os maiores valores dessa propriedade. Todavia, os diferentes níveis de espaçamentos não induziram à variação sistemática do poder calorífico superior e da massa específica básica nas espécies estudadas. As produtividades energéticas obtidas no terceiro ano, para todas as espécies são superiores as do primeiro ano. A espécie Eucalyptus grandis apresentou as maiores potencialidades de produtividade energética, seguida da Acacia mearnsii, Mimosa scabrella e Ateleia glazioviana. Recomenda-se a utilização do menor espaçamento de plantio (2,0 x 1,0 m) para todas as espécies florestais estudadas, em plantios de curta rotação com uma maior produção de biomassa para fins energéticos.

The study of the potential environmental impacts of a hypothetical wood-energy supply chain has integrated: the application of models (particularly, spatial models), the chemical and physical characteristics of the forest biomass, the techno-economic viability of different plant configurations and the Life Cycle Assessment approach, for the sustainable design of a supply chain in its life cycle. The main results are relevant in the decision-making process, related to the installation of the chain. They allow the decision maker to select the most appropriate choices, between multiple scenarios, as well as between various improvement options and responses for the potential impacts reduction. The present study has developed an approach for the wood-energy supply chain design, which integrates its most significant components (the cultural heritage of the territory, the best forestry practices, the technological and economic issues related to the exploitation of forest resources), by interpreting them from the environmental viewpoint. Indeed, for a really sustainable supply chain, none of the abovementioned components should be excluded, being them connected each other. LCA provides a valid interpretation of the systems and product supply chains related to the forest biomass, both in terms of impacts on various environmental matrices, and from that of the related potential damage on the Areas of Protection (human health, ecosystem quality, resources). The methodology is, actually, widely used in ex-post evaluations of wood-energy sectors, but, on the contrary, it is poorly implemented for the feasibility study and design; thus, the present work could represent a reference point and a baseline for future studies, insights and improvements. The study area is the Monte Olia public forest, located in the Northern side of Sardinia Island (Italy) and managed by Ente Foreste della Sardegna. A Life Cycle Assessment has been performed on the potential supply chain, by considering its main phases. Firstly, the availability of forest biomass for energy purposes has been estimated. Then, each phase of the chain has been analysed, by applying average data from similar case studies, as well as by implementing spatial models and optimisation methods for the biomass transportation. The most economically viable plant configuration has been selected by carrying out a techno-economic and environmental analysis on different plant technologies for the energy conversion of woody biomass. It has taken into account the energy demand of the service buildings within the study area, along with the characterisation of the main forest species of the Monte Olia forest (by means of laboratory determinations). The water consumptions and the emissions into water in the Life Cycle Inventory have been used for the second part of the study, which has focused on the application of the Water Footprint Assessment methodology for the designed supply chain. The analyses have consisted in: the quantification and separation of the local water appropriation and of the external amounts; the identification of the most significant supply chain phases with reference to the freshwater appropriation; the comparison between the internal appropriation volumes (related to the annual energy production) and the annual rainfall on the study area. The Water Footprint Assessment results have led us to assert the sustainability of the supply chain, from the point of view of the local freshwater appropriation. Another objective has consisted in the comparison of the Water Footprints related to the specific wood-energy supply chain and to a similar chain fed with fossil fuels (oil-fired boiler, instead of the biomass boiler), by identifying the differences in terms of Water Footprint components. The results have confirmed the greater environmental sustainability of short supply chains fed with forest biomass, than those fossil fuel-dependent. The last objective has concerned the difference between the impacts on water obtained by LCA and the results of the Water Footprint Assessment. In the present study, Life Cycle Assessment and Water Footprint Assessment have been effective tools for the sustainable wood-energy supply chain design. The use of both methodologies has allowed us to identify some critical points in the use of LCA for the management of the freshwater resources, if not being used in synergy with the Water Footprint Assessment.

The objective of this study was to test the line intersect sampling (LIS) methodology using the design-based inference with stratified systematic sampling and two transect shapes: a straight line and a cross shape, both with three different lengths (100, 150, and 200 m) to estimate the number of coarse woody debris (CWD) elements, their volume, biomass and carbon stocks; by decay class; furthermore, we fit and select CWD biomass and carbon models. The study area includes two types of native forest in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: a Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) and a Cerrado sensu-stricto (CSS). Two strata were chosen in each area, and in each stratum ten sampling units were installed according to a systematic sampling protocol. Each sampling unit had one North- South line of 200 m superimposed over the other lengths (100 and 150 m) and three lines (one for each length) in the East-West direction forming the cross shapes, for a total 650 m per sampling unit. All CWD elements with a diameter _ 10 cm that crossed the transect were tallied. For each element, the diameter, length, perpendicular width, decay class, and (when possible) species was recorded. Disc samples were taken from each element, from which cylinder samples were extracted then oven dried to determine density. These cylinders were milled and analyzed to determine carbon content (%). The volume of each element was calculated by taking the difference between cross-sectional area and any hollowed area, then multiplying by the element\'s length. Biomass was calculated by multiplying volume values by density values, and carbon stocks were calculated by multiplying biomass by the carbon percentage factors computed via lab analysis. Total estimators were calculated by area and per hectare for the number of CWD elements, their volume, biomass, and carbon stocks. These estimators were calculated by stratum then combined across the entire sample population. The data from each sampling unit was also used to calculate the wood density and carbon concentration by decay class, as well as to fit linear and nonlinear models. For the SSF area, the most accurate transect design was the 200 m cross shaped; and for the CSS area was selected the 150 m cross shape. Both areas showed lower biomass values (1.3 and 6.7 Mg/ha for the CSS and SSF areas, respectively) than other studies in the Amazon Forest where CWD research has been conducted. In both areas, as the decay class increased (from least to most rotten material), wood density decreased, which follows the same pattern as other literature. Carbon concentration barely changed within decay classes. Using a conversion constant of 50%, similar carbon stock results were obtained. Nonlinear models (using diameter and length as predictor variables) proved an efficient tool for predicting CWD biomass at an element level. As expected, biomass data exhibited heteroscedasticity, which was mitigated by modeling the variance of the residuals with a power function of the combined variable. Adding decay class as an indicator variable also resulted in model improvement.
Este estudo buscou testar a metodologia de amostragem pela linha interceptadora (LIS), usando a inferência baseada no design, com amostragem sistemática estratificada em duas formas de transectos: linha reta e forma de cruz, ambos com três diferentes comprimentos de transectos: 100, 150 e 200 m para estimar o número de elementos, volume, biomassa e estoque de carbono de madeira morta; investigar a densidade da madeira e a concentração de carbono da madeira morta pela classe de decomposição; e, ajustar e selecionar modelos de biomassa e carbono de madeira morta, em dois tipos de floresta nativa no estado de São Paulo, Brasil: uma Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (SSF) e um Cerrado sensu-stricto (CSS). Em cada tipo florestal foram selecionados dois estratos e localidas dez unidades de amostragem em cada. A unidade de amostragem é um transecto Norte-Sul, com 200 m, que sobrepõe os outros comprimentos (100 e 150 m), e três transectos (para cada comprimento) na direção Leste-Oeste, formando a cruz, totalizando 650m. Foram medidos todos os elementos de madeira morta grossa (CWD) que cruzaram o transecto com um diâmetro _10 cm. Foi medido o diâmetro na interseção, o comprimento, a largura perpendicular, o elemento foi classificado de acordo com a classe de decomposição e, quando possível, a espécie foi identificada. De cada elemento foi retirado um disco de amostra na interseção, este foi fotografado para o cálculo da área oca. De cada disco foram extraídos cilindros, secos em estufa para determinação da densidade, estes foram moídos e analisados para determinação do teor de carbono (%). O volume de cada elemento foi calculado pela diferença da área seccional e área oca, multiplicada pelo comprimento; a biomassa foi calculada multiplicando o volume pela densidade; e o estoque de carbono foi calculado multiplicando a biomassa pela concentração de carbono. Os estimadores do total foram calculados por área e por hectare para o número de elementos de CWD, volume, biomassa e estoque de carbono; foram calculados por estrato, e combinados para a população. Os dados dos 650m de cada unidade foram utilizados para calcular as médias da densidade da madeira e concentração de carbono por classe de decomposição e, para construção de modelos lineares e não-lineares. Para a SSF, o design mais preciso foi transectos em forma de cruz, com 200 m. Para CSS foram selecionados transectos em cruz, com 150 m. As áreas apresentaram valores de biomassa 1.3-6.7 Mg/ha para CSS e SSF, respectivamente. Em ambos tipos florestais foi encontrado que à medida que a classe de decomposição aumenta (mais fresco para mais podre), a densidade da madeira diminui, seguindo os mesmos padrões encontrados na literatura. A concentração de carbono não apresentou mudança dentro das classes de decomposição. Modelos nãolineares com diâmetro e comprimento como variáveis preditoras provaram ser uma ferramenta eficiente para predizer a biomassa e carbono de CWD. Como esperado, os dados de biomassa apresentaram heterocedasticidade, mitigada pela modelagem da variância dos resíduos com uma função de potência. A adição da classe de decomposição como variável indicadora também mostrou melhora nos modelos.

Abstract Mechanical harvesting of peat changes the original mire ecosystem completely, and without active measures these areas may remain non-vegetated even for decades. Afforestation is one of the most popular after-use options for cut-away peatlands in Finland since it has both economic and aesthetic values. Recycling of wood-ash as a fertilizer has been studied extensively in peatlands drained for forestry. Wood-ash is reported to promote tree growth in these areas without any significant negative impact to the environment and could, therefore, be a suitable option also on cut-away peatlands. However, the environmental effects of ash-fertilization on cut-away areas and on ground vegetation are not fully understood. The impact of wood- and peat-ash application on the early establishment of ground vegetation and downy birch (Betula pubescens) seedlings and on post-fertilization element concentrations in plants and peat substrate were studied in a cut-away peatland. Six treatments of wood-ash, peat-ash, biotite or Forest PK-fertilizer were replicated in three blocks in different mixtures and quantities corresponding to 50 kg ha-1 of phosphorus. All the fertilizers accelerated the revegetation of the bare peat surface significantly, whereas the establishment of plants in the unfertilized area was non-existent even several years after the peat harvesting had ceased. The most striking difference between the wood- and peat-ash-fertilizers and the commercial Forest PK-fertilizer was the extensive coverage of fire-loving moss species in all the areas where ash was spread. Wood- and peat-ash application also accelerated the germination and early establishment of downy birch seedlings more efficiently than the PK-fertilizer. Ground vegetation proved to be highly important in increasing the early biomass production and carbon sequestration on ash-fertilized cut-away peatland. In addition, the below-ground biomass was equal to the above-ground biomass, or even greater. Both wood- and peat-ash fertilization ensured an adequate level of nutrients for the early establishment of ground vegetation and birch seedlings in a cut-away peatland. The mosses and herbaceous plants proved to have a major role in retaining the nutrients and heavy metals that otherwise might have leached away from the ash-fertilized cut-away site during the early stages of the afforestation. Although both wood- and peat-ash proved to be suitable for the initial fertilization of afforested cut-away peatlands, a later application of nutrients may be needed to guarantee the growth in a energy-wood stand of downy birch over its entire rotation
Tiivistelmä Turvetuotannon päätyttyä jäljelle jäävä suopohja on aluksi täysin paljas ja vailla maaperän siemenpankkia. Kasvipeitteen luontainen uudistuminen voi viedä jopa vuosikymmeniä. Ympäristönhoidollisesti onkin tärkeää, että suopohjat otetaan uuteen käyttöön mahdollisimman nopeasti tuotannon päätyttyä. Metsitys on tällä hetkellä suosituin suopohjien jälkikäyttömuoto Suomessa. Suopohjan turpeessa on tyypillisesti runsaasti typpeä, mutta niukasti muita kasvuun tarvittavia ravinteita. Puutuhka on osoittautunut pitkäaikaisissa metsäojitettujen turvemaiden tutkimuksissa kilpailukykyiseksi vaihtoehdoksi kaupallisille lannoitteille. Energiantuotannon sivutuotteena syntyvä puu- ja turvetuhka voisi soveltua hyvin myös suopohjien lannoitteeksi. Tuhkan käytöstä lannoitteena turvetuotannosta vapautuneilla suopohjilla ei kuitenkaan ole riittävästi tutkimustietoa. Tässä työssä tutkittiin puu- ja turvetuhkan vaikutuksia turvetuotannosta vapautuneen suopohjan kasvittumiseen ja puun taimien alkukehitykseen viiden ensimmäisen kasvukauden ajan. Lisäksi tutkittiin kasvillisuuden ravinne- ja raskasmetallipitoisuuksien muutoksia sekä turpeen ravinteisuutta lannoituksen jälkeen. Kaikki lannoitteet nopeuttivat merkittävästi kasvillisuuden muodostumista paljaalle suopohjalle, kun taas lannoittamaton alue pysyi kasvittomana. Tuhkalannoitetuille alueille syntyi nopeasti laajoja palopaikoilla viihtyvien pioneerisammalten kasvustoja, jotka peittivät ja samalla sitoivat paljaan ja irtonaisen turvemaan pinnan. Tuhkalannoitus edisti myös koivun taimien alkukehitystä tehokkaammin kuin kaupallinen Metsän PK-lannoite. Sammalista ja ruohovartisista kasveista muodostuva aluskasvillisuus ylitti puuntaimet selvästi biomassan määrässä ja toimi metsityksen alkuvaiheessa puuntaimia merkittävämpänä hiilensitojana. Lisäksi kasvien maanalainen biomassa oli maanpäällistä biomassaa suurempi. Sekä puu- että turvetuhka takasivat riittävän määrän ravinteita energiapuumetsikön alkukehitykselle. Aluskasvillisuus osoittautui tärkeäksi tuhkasta liukenevien ravinteiden ja raskasmetallien sitojaksi metsityksen alkuvaiheessa. Vaikka sammalten kadmiumpitoisuudet nousivat tuhkalannoituksen seurauksena, ne olivat kuitenkin alhaisia Suomessa aiemmin mitattuihin sammalten yleisiin pitoisuuksiin suhteutettuna. Tuhkalannoitus ei lisännyt haitallisten raskasmetallien pitoisuuksia koivun taimien ja ruohovartisten kasvien lehdissä ja varsissa. Tutkimuksen tulokset tukevat puu- ja turvetuhkan käyttöä energiapuumetsiköiden alkuvaiheen lannoitteena turvetuotannosta vapautuneilla suopohjilla

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis addresses the topic of carbon finance in the context of reforestation and avoided deforestation. The research is based on the Nhambita Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and Agro-forestry carbon offset project in North West Mozambique. The thesis raises important questions in terms of the relevance of carbon offset projects to human and biophysical realities in Africa. The research was conducted through the lens of ethnographic development and explores how carbon offset projects are received by recipient communities. What issues do such projects attempt to address? Are the targeted issues the „real‟ issues, as they are perceived by local populations in developing countries? Who do such projects benefit and who do they benefit the most? The thesis comprises two academic papers. The first paper is a synthesis article presenting a review of key issues with regards to the roll-out of improved cooking stoves (ICS) in the context of carbon offset projects, combined with a pre-feasibility study on the introduction of ICS in the Nhambita village. It shows how biomass will continue to play a dominant role in addressing Southern African energy needs and how a large scale dissemination of ICS could play a seminal role in alleviating pressure on threatened ecosystems. The paper, however, recognizes that ICS programmes are not a panacea and discusses the pitfalls of paradigms underlying stove-provision programmes to date. Based on a review of the pertinent literature and on the field work conducted in Mozambique, conclusions are drawn that environmental and health considerations do not constitute a sufficient „pull‟ factor from the end user‟s perspective. It appears that best channels to engage with the targeted users are economic and social rationales. This debate is of particular relevance to climate change policy but it also offers insights in terms of the acceptance of such programmes by the target communities. The second paper is related to the first in that it discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with the developmental ambitions of carbon offset projects. By virtue of the market systems that regulate them, such carbon offset projects imply an innovative developmental praxis, whereby project recipients become the owners and the sellers of a tangible good in the form of carbon credits. This innovative dimension is, however, thwarted by the fact that such projects stir welfare expectations from project participants. Such livelihood improvement expectations become the fertile ground for difficulties reminiscent of the weakness of traditional aid. The intricacies underpinning this new mechanism that combines land use changes with environmental conservation and livelihood benefits are debated in the context of private entrepreneurship and global markets. The analysis is anchored in a socioanthropological interpretation of climate change science and lays the emphasis on the risks and constraints of such projects, from the perspective of the target communities. The paper concludes by discussing the policy implications of these findings.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis behandel die onderwerp van koolstoffinansies binne die konteks van herbebossing en vermyde ontbossing. Die navorsing is gebaseer op die Nhambita Veminderde Emissies van Ontbossing en Degradasie (REDD) en die agrobosbou koolstofkompensasieprojek in Noord-Wes Mosambiek Die tesis opper belangrike vrae ingevolge die relevansie van koolstofverminderingsprojekte vir die menslike en biofisiese realiteite van Afrika. Watter kwessies probeer sulke projekte aanspreek? Is die geteikende kwessies die „ware‟ kwessies, soos hulle gesien word deur plaaslike bevolkings in ontwikkelende lande? Wie trek voordeel uit sulke projekte en wie trek die meeste voordeel daaruit? Die tesis behels twee akademiese verhandelings. Die eerste verhandeling is „n sinteseartikel wat „n oorsig bied van sleutelkwessies ten opsigte van die uitrol van verbeterde kookstowe (VKS) binne die konteks van koolstofverminderingsprojekte, gekombineer met „n vooruitvoerbaarheidstudie oor die bekendstelling van VKS in die Nhambita-dorpie. Dit dui aan hoe biomassa sal voortgaan om „n dominante rol te vervul in die aanspreek van energiebehoeftes in Afrika en hoe die onderliggende paradigmas van vorige stoofvoorsieningsprogramme heroorweeg moet word om tot die debat by te dra. Hierdie benadering erken die belangrikheid van hierdie hernubare energiebron, terwyl dit die ekologiese implikasies van die swaar steun op biomassa besef, veral in Suider Afrika. Gebaseer op 'n oorsig van gepaste literatuur sowel as die veldwerk gedoen in Mosambiek, word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat omgewings- en gesondheidsoorwegings nie genoeg stukrag verleen vanuit die eindgebruiker se perspektief nie. Die beste kanale om by die teikengebruikers betrokke te raak, is ekonomiese en sosiale rasionale. Hierdie debat is van besondere betekenis vir die klimaatsveranderingsbeleid maar word ook fyn bestudeer ten opsigte van die aanvaarding van sodanige programme deur die teikengemeenskappe. Die tweede verhandeling is verwant aan die eerste in die opsig dat dit die geleenthede en uitdagings bespreek wat verband hou met die ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van koolstofverminderingsprojekte. Uit hoofde van die markstelsel wat hulle reguleer, impliseer sulke koolstofverminderingsprojekte „n innoverende ontwikkelingspraktyk, waarvolgens projekontvangers die verkopers word van „n tasbare voordeel in die vorm van koolstofkrediete. Hierdie innoverende dimensie word gedwarsboom deur „n tradisionele benadering tot ontwikkeling wat ontstaan uit die welvaartverwagtings van projekdeelnemers. Sodanige bestaansverbeteringverwagtings word die teelaarde van probleme kenmerkend van die swakheid van tradisionele bystand. Die ingewikkeldhede van hierdie nuwe meganisme, wat landgebruikveranderings kombineer met omgewingsbewaring, asook die bestaansvoordele word gedebatteer binne die konteks van privaat entrepreneurskap en wêreldmarkte. Die ontleding is geanker in „n sosio-antropologiese interpretasie van klimaatsveranderingwetenskap en benadruk die risiko‟s en beperkings van sulke projekte, vanuit die perspektief van die teikengemeenskappe.

De maneira geral, o abastecimento de madeira de indústrias de celulose brasileiras provém de áreas plantadas próprias e de madeira comprada no mercado. Programas de planejamento florestal de longo prazo procuram, normalmente, abranger o manejo da floresta plantada de forma dissociada à aquisição de madeira de fontes externas. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto da variação de valores de aquisição da madeira de mercado em modelos de programação linear que consideram seu volume adquirido como uma das variáveis-resposta. Fundamentado em dados florestais de 155 Unidades de Produção fornecidos pela International Paper do Brasil Ltda., empresa do ramo de papel para imprimir e escrever situada em Mogi-Guaçu, Estado de São Paulo, o trabalho apresenta resultados provenientes da geração de 80 modelos de programação linear submetidos a cinco diferentes cenários de valores de madeira de mercado. As abordagens dos modelos foram divididas em: modelos de maximização do valor presente líquido e modelos de minimização do valor do custo presente, subdivididos em modelos Global e Regionalizado (procurando observar uma condicionante administrativa da empresa), ordenados ou de produção livre e, finalmente, submetidos ou não a restrições operacionais de área máxima de colheita. Os resultados permitem observar que as diferentes abordagens de planejamento possuem graus variados de sensibilidade a variações de valores de madeira de mercado, notadamente os modelos de minimização do valor presente do custo. Esta sensibilidade pode ser medida pelas variações provocadas nos programas de colheita de madeira própria e compra de madeira de mercado, pela flutuação das idades médias de colheita, pelos resultados das funções-objetivo e pelo percentual de aproveitamento de área própria. Os dados também sugerem que há vantagem em manejar a floresta pelo modelo Global, que desconsidera os limites administrativos da empresa. Também, pode-se afirmar que a maximização do valor presente líquido das prescrições é a abordagem preferível em função de demonstrar maior robustez na geração de planos de manejo menos sensíveis aos diferentes cenários de valor da madeira de mercado.
Generally, the Brazilian pulp industry wood supply is largely provided by planted forests owned by the companies and wood purchased in the market. Long term planning programs usually address the two supplying sources – fee forests and market wood -separately. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of different wood acquisition value scenarios in linear programming models that consider the amount of purchased wood as one of the variables. Based on data of 155 Production Units supplied by International Paper do Brasil Ltda., a printing paper company located in Mogi-Guaçu, State of São Paulo, the study presents results from the generation of 80 linear programming models submitted to five different wood acquisition value scenarios. The approach was divided into: maximization of net present value and minimization of the present cost, divided into Global and Regionalized models (pertaining to a company administrative restriction), with regulated or floating production and submitted or not to operational restrictions as a maximum harvesting area. Results allow observing that the different modeling approaches show different degrees of sensitivity to variations in the wood acquisition value – notably the minimization models. That sensitivity can be measured against variations in the harvesting and wood purchase programs, the floatation of the average harvesting ages, results of the objective function values and the percentage of utilization of fee lands. Results also suggest that there are advantages in managing the forest through the Global model, not considering the actual administrative limitations. Also, the maximization approach is the preferred one once it demonstrates more robustness through the generation of management programs less sensitive to the different proposed wood acquisition value scenarios.

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Diversos benefícios podem ser constatados através do aproveitamento energético da biomassa florestal, principalmente atrelados ao fato de ser uma fonte de energia renovável. Porém, essa energia, assim como outras fontes de energia renovável, é pouco difundida no país, verificando a falta de políticas públicas de incentivo, desencadeando um desencorajamento do uso dessas fontes no país. O presente trabalho investiga os possíveis impactos gerados pela utilização de madeira de plantios florestais para a geração de energia sobre os demais segmentos do setor florestal brasileiro, ou seja, se haverá volume de biomassa florestal suficiente para atender às demandas desses diferentes segmentos. Utilizou-se um modelo computável de equilíbrio geral, denominado Economic Projection and Policy Analysis – EPPA, o qual é capaz de projetar cenários a respeito do desenvolvimento da economia mundial, incluindo a brasileira, considerando a produção, comércio e consumo dos diferentes setores econômicos, com ênfase para os setores energéticos e agropecuários. Para este estudo foram simulados um cenário de referência e mais dois grupos de cenário, sendo o primeiro grupo composto por três cenários diferenciados por níveis de subsídio (baixo, médio e alto) à geração de eletricidade de biomassa florestal e o segundo grupo também composto por quatro cenários com redução dos custos e diferentes níveis de incentivo (nulo, baixo, médio e alto). Os resultados mostraram que ao longo dos anos pode ocorrer um expressivo crescimento do setor florestal devido ao incremento da produção de biomassa florestal, que está diretamente relacionado ao aumento dos fomentos governamentais. Mesmo que ocorra elevada inserção da bioeletricidade oriunda da biomassa florestal na matriz energética, não ocorre quase nenhum impacto nos demais setores econômicos que competem com recursos para produção da biomassa, como agropecuário, ou utilizam a mesma como matéria-prima, como químico e siderúrgico. Observou-se também que, em relação à participação das fontes de recurso na oferta de energia, os segmentos de origem fóssil e de biomassa de cana-de-açúcar são os mais afetados nos cenários de maior inserção da biomassa florestal na geração elétrica. Através da análise do produto interno bruto (PIB) constatou-se que não há mudanças nas taxas anuais de crescimento nos diferentes cenários. Também pode-se dizer que o aumento das áreas de produção florestal substituem as áreas destinadas às culturas vegetais e pecuária, enquanto o mesmo já não ocorre para as áreas de florestas naturais. Por fim, o desenvolvimento e a longevidade dessa fonte de energia no país são bastante dependentes de melhorias tecnológicas, redução de custos e incentivos proporcionados pelo governo.
The forest biomass provides multiple uses and renewable energy is notably one of the most promising of them. In Brazil, however, despite of the country’s intrinsic vocation to develop a forest economy, such source has not yet become mainstream due to the lack of appropriate public incentive and policies. This work investigates the impacts of allocating Brazilian forest plantations on energy generation and its impacts within the energy and the forest sector. In the other words, which would be the volume of forest biomass and the amount of incentives sufficient to meet demand and how it would influence the economy. Economic Projection and Policy Analysis (EPPA) is developed to project scenarios on the world’s economy dynamics, and includes a Brazilian module that considers production, commerce and consumption of different economic sectors, with emphasis on the energy and agricultural sectors. For this study, we simulated a reference scenario and two other scenario groups, the first group being composed for three scenarios differentiated by levels of subsidy (low, medium and high) to the generation of forest biomass electricity and the second group composed of four scenarios with cost reduction and distinct levels of incentives (null, low, medium and high). The results showed that over the years there may be an expressive growth of the forest sector due to the increase in the production of forest biomass, which is directly related to the increase of the governmental foments. Even with an increase in the application of forest biomass for energy production, other sectors that may compete with, or depend on, forest based inputs were not significantly impacted, such as agriculture, chemical and steel. Another variable analyzed was the resources distribution among the different energy sources. It was observed that, with the increase of forest biomass participation on the energy sector, fossil fuels and sugarcane biomass are the most affected. Evaluating the impacts on the gross domestic product (GDP) there are no changes in annual growth rates, regardless of the scenarios. Also according with the analysis, the increase of areas designated to forest plantations substantially replaced areas of crops and livestock, does not compete for land with the native vegetation. Finally, the development and longevity of forest biomass participation within Brazil’s energy grid is heavily dependent on technological improvements, cost reductions, and incentives provided by the government.

[ES] El municipio de Serra se asienta en la vertiente meridional de la Sierra Calderona. El término municipal ocupa una superficie de 5.730 hectáreas de las cuales, el 95 % de su territorio se encuentra dentro del ámbito del Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona y el 85% del territorio corresponde a Suelo Forestal. La estructura económica del municipio ha tenido, desde 1960, al sector de la construcción como eje principal de la economía, quedando el subsector forestal, como actividad residual. Esto ha provocado un flujo de mano de obra desde el sector primario hacia otros más productivos, teniendo como consecuencia un crecimiento desordenado de la masa forestal, provocando un deterioro del paisaje. Esto ha aumentado considerablemente el riesgo de incendios y plagas y amenaza en definitiva el patrimonio forestal del Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona. Siguiendo las directrices marcadas por las prioridades de la UE en desarrollo rural se ha puesto en marcha un proyecto de investigación dirigido hacia la creación de empleo local mediante el fomento de actividades sostenibles cuyos resultados se reinviertan en la sociedad local generando una economía circular que constituya la base del desarrollo socio económico local. El proyecto consiste en el aprovechamiento energético sostenible de la biomasa forestal, agrícola y de jardinería y su reconversión a un combustible sólido (pélet) empleado en la calefacción de edificios públicos y por otra parte, comercializando el excedente de pélet, con esto se pretende un ahorro económico energético y de gestión del residuo y un beneficio que podrá ser empleado directamente en la creación de empleo local. El proyecto contribuye además a la protección y mejora de los montes de Serra. La presente Tesis trata de estudiar si un adecuado modelo de gestión de la biomasa en zonas de la interfaz urbano forestal de municipios, como Serra, incluidos en el Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona puede tener efectos directos positivos en la prevención de incendios forestales y la lucha contra el cambio climático, la Tesis estudia además si estos modelos de gestión pueden ser económica y medioambientalmente sostenibles y su capacidad para contribuir a mejorar el desarrollo socioeconómico de estas poblaciones, fijando su población y ofreciendo un verdadero desarrollo rural basado en el aprovechamiento racional de sus recursos naturales.
[CA] El municipi de Serra s'assenta en el vessant meridional de la Serra Calderona. El terme municipal ocupa una superfície de 5.730 hectàrees de les quals, el 95 % del seu territori es troba dins de l'àmbit del Parc Natural de la Serra Calderona i el 85% del territori correspon a Sòl Forestal. L'estructura econòmica del municipi ha tingut, des de 1960, al sector de la construcció com a eix principal de l'economia, quedant el subsector forestal, com a activitat residual. Açò ha provocat un flux de mà d'obra des del sector primari cap a uns altres més productius, tenint com a conseqüència un creixement desordenat de la massa forestal, provocant una deterioració del paisatge. Açò ha augmentat considerablement el risc d'incendis i plagues i amenaça en definitiva el patrimoni forestal del Parc Natural de la Serra Calderona. Seguint les directrius marcades per les prioritats de la UE en desenvolupament rural s'ha engegat un projecte de recerca dirigit cap a la creació d'ocupació local mitjançant el foment d'activitats sostenibles els resultats de les quals es reinverteixen a la societat local generant una economia circular que constituïsca la base del desenvolupe soci econòmic local. El projecte consisteix en l'aprofitament energètic sostenible de la biomassa forestal, agrícola i de jardineria i la seua reconversió a un combustible sòlid (pélet) emprat en la calefacció d'edificis públics i d'altra banda, comercialitzant l'excedent de pélet, amb açò es pretén un estalvi econòmic energètic i de gestió del residu i un benefici que podrà ser emprat directament en la creació d'ocupació local. El projecte contribueix a més a la protecció i millora de les muntanyes de Serra. La present Tesi tracta d'estudiar si un adequat model de gestió de la biomassa en zones de la interfície urbà forestal de municipis, com Serra, inclosos en el Parc Natural de la Serra Calderona pot tenir efectes directes positius en la prevenció d'incendis forestals i la lluita contra el canvi climàtic, la Tesi estudia a més si aquests models de gestió poden ser econòmica i mediambientalment sostenibles i la seua capacitat per a contribuir a millorar el desenvolupament socioeconòmic d'aquestes poblacions, fixant la seua població i oferint un vertader desenvolupament rural basat en l'aprofitament racional dels seus recursos naturals.
[EN] The municipality of Serra sits on the southern slope of the Sierra Calderona mountains. The municipality occupies an area of 5,730 hectares of which, 95% of its territory is within the Sierra Calderona Natural Park and 85% of the territory corresponds to forest land. The economic structure of the municipality has had, since 1960, the construction sector as the main axis of the economy, leaving the forestry sub-sector as a residual activity. This has caused a labor flow from the primary sector to more productive ones, resulting in a disorderly growth of the forest mass, causing a deterioration of the landscape. This has considerably increased the risk of fire and pests and ultimately threatens the forest heritage of the Sierra Calderona Natural Park. Following the guidelines set by the EU priorities for rural development, a research project aimed at the creation of local jobs has been launched through the promotion of sustainable activities whose results are reinvested in the Local society generating a circular economy that constitutes the basis of the local socio-economic development. The project consists of the sustainable energetic use of forest, agricultural and garden biomass and its conversion to a solid fuel (wood pélet) used in the heating of public buildings and on the other hand, marketing the surplus of this wood pélet, this aims to a saving of energy bills and waste management costs and brings a benefit that can be used directly in the creation of local employment. The project also contributes to the protection and improvement of the Serra Mountains. This thesis aims to study whether an adequate model of management of biomass in the municipal urban forest interface, such as Serra, included in the Natural Park of the Sierra Calderona can have direct positive effects on the prevention of forest fires and the fight against climate change, the thesis also studies whether these management models can be economically and environmentally sustainable and their ability to contribute to improving the socioeconomic development of these populations, setting their Population and offering a true rural development based on the rational use of their natural resources.
Mayans Díaz, JJ. (2021). Gestión integral de la biomasa en la interfaz urbano-forestal, en ámbito supramunicipal y sus efectos en la lucha contra el cambio climático, Red Natura 2000 y prevención de incendios forestales [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/166094
TESIS

Denna studie utreder vilka funktioner och roller som byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar att deras leverantörer från träindustrin bör ha i marknadskanalen. Vidare förklaras hur dessa leverantörer bör agera för att möta dessa krav och förväntningar. Sålunda skapas gynnsamma utvecklingsmöjligheter av nya produktlösningar för att svara upp till nya krav på teknik och produktutveckling för att öka försäljningen av trävaror till de viktiga GDS (Gör-Det-Själv)- och byggmaterialmarknaderna i både Sverige och Europa. Byggvaruhuskedjorna anser att träindustrin har ett alldeles för stort produktions- och volymfokus och inriktar sig för mycket på export av trävaror. Byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar alltmer en leverantör från träindustrin med en hög anpassningsförmåga som kan medverka i kedjans utvecklingsarbete och som samtidigt har stor lyhördhet gentemot marknadens behov och har möjlighet att göra anpassningar till lokala GDS- och byggmaterialmarknader. Leverantörer från träindustrin måste sålunda gå ifrån produktions- och volymfokusering till kundutveckling och kundfokus. Deras produktivitetsutveckling och samarbetsvillighet har en stor betydelse för att generera en välfungerande interaktion med sina kunder. Sålunda kan en koppling mellan deras egen produktion och deras kunders behov utvecklas. Det kommer sannolikt att bli mycket kostsamt och svårt för träindustrin att försöka bearbeta den svenska och europeiska marknaderna utan att använda byggvaruhuskedjorna som marknadskanal. Byggvaruhuskedjornas ökade konsumentfokus och riktade marknadsföring medför enligt dem själva en expansion av marknaden samtidigt som prismedvetenheten och kraven från GDS- och byggmaterialmarknaderna ökar. Byggvaruhuskedjorna verkar alltmer fungera som systemintegratör och anser själva att de känner av en större makt gentemot sina leverantörer. Byggvaruhuskedjorna förefaller dock svårare att definiera som antigen mega-retailers eller category-killers. Branschgränserna blir alltmer oklara och det blir sålunda svårare att avgöra vilka företag som specifikt kan klassificeras att tillhöra bygghandeln Den nationella bygghandeln blir samtidigt alltmer internationell och sammanfattningsvis verkar en marknadskanal med nya funktioner och strukturer att utvecklas.

The fixed bed drying of western hemlock and Douglas-fir biomass particles at temperatures ranging from 50��C to 200��C and air velocities from 0.3 to 0.9 m/s was investigated. The objectives were to describe the drying characteristics of the particles, fit a model for thin-layer drying, and develop and test a deep bed drying model based on the thin-layer model. The effects of temperature and air velocity were determined in a bed approximately 1.3 cm in depth and a model for the drying curve was developed. The thin-layer model was then used to predict what would happen in a deeper bed. Model results were compared to drying curves measured in a 23-cm-deep bed. The deep bed model predicted both the experimental drying times and the moisture and temperature profiles in the bed.
Graduation date: 2013

Woody biomass transportation costs and market values/costs are strongly correlated with the woody biomass moisture content. Properly managing moisture content can potentially lead to economic and environmental advantages in biomass energy markets. Good management requires accurate moisture content measurements. Therefore, availability of accurate, precise, reliable, and efficient tools to assess woody biomass moisture content is essential. In this study, six different tools (Fibre-Gen HM200, IML Hammer, Humimeter BLW, Timbermaster, Humimeter HM1 and Wile Bio Meter) were evaluated. The six tools employed three different measurement technologies; acoustic, conductance, and capacitance. Woody biomass samples were collected over one season (summer 2011) at three different locations in western Oregon (Corvallis, Dallas, and Clatskanie) for three softwood species and three hardwood species: Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa L.), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), hybrid poplar (Populus spp.), Madrone (Arbutus spp.), and Garryana Oak (Quercus garryana Dougl. ex Hook). Twenty 3-meter long log (20 to 400mm diameter) specimens were collected per species; 18 specimens were divided into two different treatments (open vs. covered), and the two remaining specimens were chipped. In addition, approximately 100 kilograms per species of hogfuel (limbs and tops) were collected and chipped. Moisture content measurements of logs, chips, and hogfuel were made regularly over a four month period. These data was used to develop multiple linear regression models for assessing the moisture content of the six species using the six tools. The major factors considered in the regression models were species (6), treatment (2), and tools (6). The data were also used to estimate the sample size needed for each tool. The best tool from each technology type was identified. The results generated from this study show that (1) none of the tools are accurate without calibration for different species, (2) the best model/tool combination could only explain about 80% of the variability in measurements, (3) further product development is required in some cases to ensure that the tools are robust for industrial application, and (4) there is a wide range in efficiency of the tools (i.e., 50 minute tool efficiency range). The Fibre-Gen HM200 and Wile Bio Meter were the most accurate, precise and efficient tools tested. The cost of transporting woody biomass from the forest to woody biomass plants is "optimized" when the moisture content drops to approximately 30% (wet basis). Validation of the models developed for three of the tools tested (Fibre-Gen HM200, Humimeter BLW and the Wile Bio Meter) indicates that the tools are accurate below 35% MC (wet basis). This suggests they could be used for making threshold transportation decisions, i.e., determining when to haul.
Graduation date: 2013

The feasibility of wood based energy plants in the off-grid Brochet community in Manitoba were analyzed by survey, interviews and document review in this research. Four areas were explored to assess the suitability of biomass energy generation, namely: the community’s perspective, resource assessment, technology availability, and cost attractiveness. Harvesting sufficient woody biomass from local wild fire burnt areas, in particular, as well as local green forests could be an appropriate and feasible option. A heat only plant is considered to be the best choice for biomass plant establishment in Brochet, followed by combined heat and power plants. A cost analysis showed that a biomass plant at Brochet is more economical than the current planned investment in the diesel power facility. The lack of resolve about who wants to run and pay for the operation and the uncertainty of the reliability of biomass technologies are two large barriers to biomass energy generation in the community. Overall, biomass energy generation options are promising to eliminate or reduce the use of fossil fuel in Brochet.

European Union’s (EU) dependence on fossil fuel imports strongly affects its energy supply and economic and national stability. In order to reduce its dependence and maintain the leadership position in GHG emissions reductions and renewable energy consumption, EU has set ambitious targets of reducing GHG emissions by at least 20% compared with 1990, raising the share of renewable energy to 20% and increasing the levels of biofuels in transport fuels to 10% by 2020. While some of the countries, due to their large renewable potential, have already reached set targets, some are still far behind. Biomass, with 69.8% share in gross inland consumption of renewables, has the greatest potential. Since some EU members have low availability of biomass, and are scarce in other renewable sources, they have become biomass importers. As some studies have shown, imports of biomass reduce cost of achieving targets for renewable electricity and increase electricity production from biomass. Wood pellets, as currently the most tradable solid biomass commodity, already reached significant shares in imports and consumption of biomass in some EU countries. The most of pellets were traditionally imported from Canada; however, last year US became the EU’s largest importing partner with 534,000 tons of industrial pellets exported mainly to Belgium and Netherlands. The EU’s increasing demand for wood pellets was a major driver for substantial increase in the wood pellet production capacity in US, with many plants being constructed for export to EU. This thesis evaluates the possibility of producing wood and switchgrass pellets in East Tennessee, assuming three feedstock scenarios, and their export to EU. Results from the base-case model showed that production costs of pellets were $155, $164 and $170 per ton, while price of pellets on the EU market will have to be $207, $216 and $222 per ton in the 100% mill residue, 40/60 blend and 100% switchgrass scenarios, respectively, for the project to breakeven. Sensitivity analysis showed a strong impact of feedstock price, moisture and exchange ratio on project’s return on investment.

The aim of this study was to compare and contrast mineral and microbial nitrogen concentrations in soils of semi-natural and natural mountain spruce forests in the Březník area, the Bohemian Forest National Park, under dead wood and four plant dominants with respect to different forest management after windstorm and bark beetle events applied in 1997.

This thesis deals with the analysis of the local market in terms of biomass and Less Energy. There is examined the potential of logging residues from the selected area is examined further traffic limit for supplying chips. There are used Porter model analysis.

The wood-based building products industry has experienced significant turbulence over the past several decades as a function of multiple forces including among others globalization, product and process innovation, and shifting customer and consumer interest and demands. Collectively, these changes have challenged the historical tenets which have defined industry strategy and competition in the realm of basic products and contributed to consolidation and labor reductions. Consequently, an onus has been placed on industry participants to better understand and adapt to the new competitive landscape or risk loss of competitive advantages built on the practices suited to historical tradition. However, a limited range of work that considers the machinations of turbulence and resulting strategic implications has been directed toward the industry particularly where differentiation of products is limited. A contributing factor for this deficiency is the relative stability that has defined the industry for generations due in part to limited strategic variation beyond cost and production, limited cycles of technological and product innovation, commodity nature of many products, and passive manner of consumption. Accordingly, there is value in work that takes a critical and empirical view of industry changes in the context of both strategic and competitive implications, how participating firms address challenges, and what factors influence consumer purchase decisions. This work addresses this need through examination of each element, industry, firm, and consumer, in the context of turbulence, competition, and strategy and delineates previously unidentified considerations for competing in the new landscape. At the industry level, drivers of industry turbulence and subsequent strategic challenges, adaptations, and opportunities are identified and reviewed. Analysis suggests that improved strategy which considers organizational and product differentiation beyond cost and production efficiencies permits greater stability and increased leverage in the turbulent competitive environment. Recognizing a need for improved strategy, the firm level analysis employs a primary qualitative approach to isolate previously unidentified firm qualities analogous to successful deployment of a market orientation strategy using the resource based view of the firm as a framework for analysis. Connecting strategy to the consumer and product, theoretical consumer behavior constructs (consumption, behavior, and involvement) were connected to conceptualize dimensions of product differentiation capable of holding consumer appeal and acting as behavioral drivers in the passively consumed arena of primary wood-based building products. Taken together this work provides a view of strategic considerations within the wood-based building product industry that extends beyond previous work in several ways. First, by considering industry environment, firm strategy, and consumer behavior and product differentiation collectively in the manner described, this work provides a more vertically complete strategic perspective for industry participants. Second, within each chapter, findings and case based examples relevant to each element are presented.
Graduation date: 2012