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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Applied Energyarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Applied Energy
Article . 2015 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
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Simulation of environmental impact scores within the life cycle of mixed wood chips from alternative short rotation coppice systems in Flanders (Belgium)

Authors: Benedetto Rugani; Ian Vázquez-Rowe; Ian Vázquez-Rowe; Pieter Verdonckt; Daniel Koster; Katarzyna Golkowska; Enrico Benetto;

Simulation of environmental impact scores within the life cycle of mixed wood chips from alternative short rotation coppice systems in Flanders (Belgium)

Abstract

Abstract The expansion of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) practices is mainly driven by the viability of SRC wood as an alternative to other renewable and non-renewable fuels in energy production, but also to the capacity of increasing biodiversity and the supply of ecosystem services locally. To delve into these environmental synergies and possible trade-offs, the Life Cycle Assessment method was applied to seven SRC experimental sites recently implemented in Flanders (Belgium). These have differing land use objectives and, thus, present different species proportions and plantation density. For instance, most sites are either planted with willow and poplar clones, or with a mix of the two with local tree species in order to activate temporary unused industrial lands or enhance the local ecosystem functionality. A regular 3 to 7-year rotation was simulated up to year 2033 using CO2FIX given that trees were yet to be harvested at the time of the assessment. Yields were first estimated over time: SRC systems composed by mixed species presented the highest productivity and also the best environmental performance profiles. Overall, the highest environmental impacts were due to consumption of diesel during the cyclic harvests, but also to fertilization activities. Uncertainty distribution ranges were determined for the most critical parameters and a Monte Carlo analysis was performed to obtain average impact scores with variability ranges. While replacing hardwood with wood from SRC chips was not found to be advantageous because of e.g. larger metal, fossil and ozone depletion potentials, benefits were observed for land use reduction and climate change mitigation. Due to frequent rotations, the beneficial trends for the latter seem sufficient to compensate the negative effects of the other impacts on human health and ecosystems quality.

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    citations
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    13
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
13
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%