Paper details

Title:

Can Bioenergy Production and Soil Carbon Storage be Coupled? A Case Study on Dedicated Bioenergy Crops in the Low Po Valley (Northern Italy)

Author(s):

Ceotto, E., Librenti, I., Di Candilo, M.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Producing biomass for bioenergy and soil carbon storage are often regarded as alternative on land­use options for climate change mitigation. Long running field experiment, with permanent plots extended over years, are extremely useful in gaining insight on soil processes subject to change over decades, like carbon dynamics and soil fertility. A case study of a multi­year field experiment comparing dedicated lignocellulosic bioenergy crops located in the Low Po Valley, Northern Italy is presented. A simplified carbon balance is presented here, taking into account: i) the carbon embedded in the average dry matter yields; ii) the average annual increment of soil carbon storage; iii) the GHG emissions attributable to N fertilization. In this preliminary study, the role of other agronomic inputs, and the carbon accumulated in standing biomass were neglected, both factors partially compensate each other. We here show that both ecosystem services can be fulfilled by cultivation of dedicated perennial ligno­cellulosic crops.

Keywords:

annual herbaceous crops, CO2 balance, land use, management, perennial energy crops

Topic:

Policies and ensuring sustainability

Subtopic:

Agro-environmental assessment of biomass production

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP5.3.3

Pages:

2261 - 2264

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP5.3.3

Price:

FREE