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From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: A synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forests

Publication ,  Journal Article
Evans, AM; Finkral, AJ
Published in: GCB Bioenergy
January 1, 2009

The volatile costs of fossil fuels, concerns about the associated greenhouse gas emissions from these fuels, and the threat of catastrophic wildfires in western North America have resulted in increased interest and activity in the removal and use of woody biomass from forests. However, significant economic and logistical challenges lie between the forests and the consumers of woody biomass. In this study, we provide a current snapshot of how biomass is being removed from forests and used across the United States to demonstrate the wide variety of successful strategies, funding sources, harvesting operations, utilization outlets, and silvicultural prescriptions. Through an analysis of 45 case studies, we identified three themes that consistently frame each biomass removal and utilization operation: Management objectives, ecology, and economics. The variety and combination of project objectives exemplified by the case studies means biomass removals are complex and difficult to categorize for analysis. However, the combination of objectives allows projects to take advantage of unique opportunities such as multiple funding sources and multiparty collaboration. The case studies also provide insight into the importance of ecological considerations in biomass removal both because of the opportunity for forest restoration and the risk of site degradation. The national view of the economic aspects of biomass removal provided by this wide variety of case studies includes price and cost ranges. This study is an important first step that helps define woody biomass removals which are becoming an essential part of forestry in the 21st century.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

GCB Bioenergy

DOI

EISSN

1757-1707

ISSN

1757-1693

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

1

Issue

3

Start / End Page

211 / 219

Related Subject Headings

  • 1001 Agricultural Biotechnology
 

Citation

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MLA
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Evans, A. M., & Finkral, A. J. (2009). From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: A synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forests. GCB Bioenergy, 1(3), 211–219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01013.x
Evans, A. M., and A. J. Finkral. “From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: A synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forests.” GCB Bioenergy 1, no. 3 (January 1, 2009): 211–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01013.x.
Evans, A. M., and A. J. Finkral. “From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: A synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forests.” GCB Bioenergy, vol. 1, no. 3, Jan. 2009, pp. 211–19. Scopus, doi:10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01013.x.
Journal cover image

Published In

GCB Bioenergy

DOI

EISSN

1757-1707

ISSN

1757-1693

Publication Date

January 1, 2009

Volume

1

Issue

3

Start / End Page

211 / 219

Related Subject Headings

  • 1001 Agricultural Biotechnology