Demonstration of grassland restoration and alternative use of biomass to ensure maintenance of grassland biodiversity in Latvia

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1 LIFE Nordic Platform Meeting Multi-purpose management of grasslands Demonstration of grassland restoration and alternative use of biomass to ensure maintenance of grassland biodiversity in Latvia «Alternative use of biomass for maintenance of grassland biodiversity and ecosystem services» LIFE12 BIO/LV/001130/ LIFE Grassservice

2 Country involved: Latvia Project location: 2 pilot areas in Latvia: Sigulda and Ludza municipalities Duration of the project: (01/10/ /12/2017) Budget info: Partners: Total amount: 1,280,964 Euro % EC Co-funding: 640,482 Euro Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia: project lead Latvian Fund for Nature: grassland habitat inventories, grass biomass Bio Refinery Entrepreneurship Ltd: biogas production Riga Technical University: biobutanol production Sigulda Municipality Council, Ludza Municipality Council: cooperation

3 The project aims to ensure maintenance of biologically valuable grasslands: by enhancing alternative, economically sustainable approaches to the use of grassland biomass as well as by establishing co-operation models between farmers, entrepreneurs and local authorities, which would ensure viability of grassland management and proposed technological solutions. Main activities: Assessment of grassland biomass resources and measures for grassland maintenance; Activity plan for grassland maintenance and use of biomass in the project pilot areas; Establishment of local co-operation network among landowners and entrepreneurs; Restoration of abandoned grassland habitats and demonstration of alternative solutions for processing of biomass (biogas, biobutanol, grass pellets); monitoring the impact of project activities on grassland habitats as well as its socioeconomic impact on local society; Visibility and dissemination including local and international seminars, etc.

4 PROBLEM LOSING GRASSLAND QUANTITY AND QUALITY In project pilot areas 1/3 not managed Overgrowing by bushes = natural succession Artificial afforestation Expansion of invasive species Sosnowsky s hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi Canadian goldenrod Solidago canadensis

5 Grassland restoration by removal trees and shrubs Grassland restoration by removal of trees and shrubs of grassland based on Internal Activity Plan Totally will be restored 125 ha of grasslands in both project areas EU grassland habitats: 6120*; 6210; 6270*; 6450; 6510 Developed technical specification for each grassland field Main restoration activities: Tree and shrub removal Root milling Grassland mowing Grassland harrowing/ disking Prescribed burning Green hay/ dry hay spreading Additional grassland seeding with species rich material

6 Grassland restoration

7 Grassland restoration

8 Tree and shrub removal

9 Root milling/ pulling

10 Prescribed burning

11 Elimination of Solidago canadensis

12 Grassland harrowing/ disking

13 Dry hay spreading

14 What else we need to do...?

15 Alternative use of grassland biomass High amounts of grass biomass being wasted on a field has a potential to be used in many alternative ways: Biofuels Biogas Grass pellets We developed various technical and technological options for processing of biomass for production of biobutanol and biogas. The obtained results were served as the bases for specification of technical parameters for pilot facilities.

16 Biobutanol production Second generation biofuel - biobutanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass is regarded as a good alternative to cellulosic ethanol. Higher sugar release yield with lower mesh size. Mechanical grinding must be performed. Enzymatic hydrolysis showed to be as effective as acid hydrolysis. Generally higher sugar yields are obtained for samples collected in June and originating from the habitats with a greater proportion of dicotyledon plants or dicots: Xeric sand calcareous grasslands (6120), Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (6210) Lowland Hay meadows (6510).

17 Biobutanol pilot facility

18 Biogas production A competitive technological solution in terms of energy consumption for self-consumption needs. Small size biogas plant (prototype) built on truck: Biogas reactor L; High 6,3 m. High concentration of methane in biogas, not lower than 52%. From 1t fresh grass is possible to get 70 m 3 biogas. Grass from EU grassland habitats was used as a feeding substrate and it has significant role in efficient biogas production compared to the C: N: P: S ratio. Better for biogas production is beginning increase NH 4+. of vegetation season risk to

19 Biogas prototype

20 Thank you! More information: grassservice.balticgrasslands.eu/en