Primary questions: Incorporating Biomass Harvesting into Sustainable Forest Management: Issues and Guidelines

Transcription

1 Incorporating Biomass Harvesting into Sustainable Forest Management: Issues and Guidelines Northern Forest Biomass Energy Initiative: Working Session Conference Primary questions: How might biomass harvesting change the forests of the region? What are the major concerns arising from this change? David Publicover Senior Staff Scientist Appalachian Mountain Club Gorham, NH How well equipped are the various certification systems and other policies and guidelines equipped to address these changes? 1

2 Level of potential impact (low to high): Primary issues: Sustainability of harvest levels. Nutrient depletion of soils. Wildlife habitat. No change in harvest type or level; harvested material is merely shifted from one market (e.g. pulpwood) to another. No change in harvest type or intensity but increased utilization (e.g. whole-tree vs. stem-only). Change in commercial harvest standards (e.g., increased harvest of smallerdiameter stems) but within context of same silvicultural systems and goals. Significant change in harvest levels and type (e.g. increased whole-tree clearcuts). Significant areas converted to shortrotation biomass silviculture. 2

3 Public Service of New Hampshire Northern Wood Power Project web site: Unlike fossil fuels, biomass fuel is a sustainable and renewable energy source. By employing responsible forestry management practices, forests can be harvested, regenerated and reharvested within years. Sustainability of harvest levels: FIA statewide inventories now provide information on biomass. Material likely to be harvested for biomass is a significant component of the forest. Maine forest biomass (million dry tons, 2003) Growing stock 459 Branches 68 Foliage 34 Live cull 69 Salvageable dead 12 Saplings 182 However, most harvest models focus only on the growing stock portion of the forest harvest of other components is incidental. How do we refine growth and yield modelling to ensure that harvesting of biomass (and not just merchantable stemwood) is being done at a sustainable level? 3

4 Nutrient depletion of soils: Material likely to be harvested for biomass contains disproportionately higher amounts of important nutrients. Relative total amounts of biomass and selected nutrients in live tree forest components (Hubbard Brook Watershed 6, 2002); stemwood of live trees >10 cm DBH = 100 Biomass N P K Ca Mg >10 cm DBH Stemwood Branches Leaves/twigs cm DBH Data derived from Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest website. Disclaimer: Some data used in this publication was obtained by scientists of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study; this publication has not been reviewed by those scientists. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest is operated and maintained by the Northeastern Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Please note that data sharing and availability policy varies among the datasets available on this site. Publishers of Hubbard Brook data are encouraged to contact the original data provider to obtain information for an acknowledgement of the original funding source of the research. Some land within these areas with shallower soils and more intense harvesting than the average values used in this assessment is likely to also be at risk of nutrient cation depletion. From: Miller, Eric K Assessment of Forest Sensitivity to Nitrogen and Sulfur Deposition in New Hampshire and Vermont. Ecosystems Research Group, Ltd., Norwich, VT. 4

5 Wildlife habitat: Changes are difficult to predict and depend on how biomass harvesting is implemented. Reduction in coarse woody debris (increased utilization of cull and dead material). Changes in stand structure and composition: Increase in fast-growing early successional species. Increase in young even-aged stands (if clearcutting increases). Increased vertical stratification (if biomass harvesting is used for thinning). More rapid progression to mature size classes resulting from increased thinning. Certification systems: Forest Stewardship Council Sustainable Forestry Initiative American Tree Farm System How do these systems address the three primary issues? Changes may be positive or negative biomass market may expand the silvicultural toolbox and if used intelligently can benefit habitat. 5

6 Nutrient depletion of soils: Sustainability of harvest levels: FSC Criteria 5.6: The rate of harvest of forest products shall not exceed levels that can be permanently sustained. SFI Performance Measure 1.1: Program Participants shall ensure that long-term harvest levels are sustainable Tree Farm: no specific requirement. FSC Criteria 6.3: Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced, or restored, including natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem. SFI Performance Measure 2.3: Program Participants shall implement management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. Tree Farm Standard 5: Forestry practices maintain or enhance the environment, including air, water, soil, and site quality. 6

7 The standards are there, but how will certifiers interpret them if biomass harvest levels increase significantly? Where is the burden of proof for demonstrating significant impact (or lack thereof), especially regarding nutrient depletion? (Researchers, certifiers, land managers?) What about the millions of acres not covered by certification systems? The other end of the pipeline procurement FSC addresses procurement through chain-ofcustody certification. However, it is unlikely that a significantly expanded biomass energy industry will be fully FSC- certified. Because of its origin in the forest products industry, SFI includes procurement guidelines in its Standard: SFI Performance Measure 8.3: Program Participants shall clearly define and implement policies to ensure that mill inventories and procurement activities do not compromise adherence to the principles of sustainable forestry. Can the biomass energy industry be brought into the sustainable forestry tent through SFI or other programs? Should sustainable forestry provisions be required for biomass energy to be considered renewable (e.g., granting of renewable portfolio credits)? 7

8 A step in the right direction From Public Service of New Hampshire web site on Northern Wood Power Project ( Standards: Purchasing an increasing percentage of wood from New Hampshire loggers and landowners. Entering into long-term contracts with wood suppliers to provide market stability for the forest industry. Tracking of wood purchases from well-managed forests. Providing the public with regular summaries of wood procurement practices. 8