Cost-Efficient Energy Biomass Production on Cut-Away Peatlands: Two-Year Results

Authors:
Olli Reinikainen, Juhani Juvonen, Jyrki Hytönen and Jorma Issakainen

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
bioenergy, cut-away-peatland, downy-birch, short-rotation

Documentfile:
Reinikainen et al 2012: Cost-Efficient Energy Biomass Production on Cut-Away Peatlands: Two-Year Results

Summary:

Theme VII. Ecology and management on forested peatlands

SUMMARY

Biomass production with various energy crops could be an interesting alternative for land use of cut-away peatlands. We compared in a 19 ha experiment biomass production and production costs of reed canary grass, short-rotation willows, and several indigenous tree species. The tree plantations were established by seeding and by natural regeneration using ash fertilization and various soil preparation methods. The most successful establishment method for downy birch was broadcast seeding on ash-fertilized peat (75 000 seedlings ha^-1 in two years). Correspondingly natural regeneration of ash fertilized peat resulted in 5500 birch seedlings ha^-1. Also sowing of aspen on ash-fertilized peat was promising (50 000 seedlings ha^-1 in two years). Wood energy production on cutaway peatlands could offset soil CO₂ emissions due to an increase in sequestration of atmospheric CO₂-C into the growing biomass.