Spatial Distribution of Biomass and Woody Litter for Bio-Energy in Biscay (Spain)

Abstract

Forest management has been considered a subject of interest, because they act as carbon (C) sinks to mitigate CO2 emissions and also as producers of woody litter (WL) for bio-energy. Overall, a sustainably managed system of forests and forest products contributes to carbon mitigation in a positive, stable way. With increasing demand for sustainable production, the need to effectively utilise site-based resources increases. The utilization of WL for bio-energy can help meet the need for renewable energy production. The objective of the present study was to investigate biomass production (including C sequestration) from the most representative forestry species (Pinus radiata D. Don and Ecualyptus globulus Labill) of Biscay (Spain). Data from the third and fourth Spanish Forest Inventories (NFI3-2005 and NFI4-2011) were used. We also estimated the potential WL produced in the forest activities. Our findings were as follows: Forests of Biscay stored 12.084 Tg of biomass (dry basis), with a mean of 147.34 Mg ha1 in 2005 and 14.509 Tg of biomass (dry basis), with a mean of 179.82 Mg ha-1 in 2011. The total equivalent CO2 in Biscay's forests increased by 1.629 Tg year-1 between 2005 and 2011. The study shows that the energy potential of carbon accumulated in the WL amounted to 1283.2 million MJ year-1. These results suggest a considerable potential for energy production.