Abstract
This application concerns a visiting researcher fellowship for Assoc. Prof. Dr. Blas Mola Yudego, Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Norway. The main objective of the project is to provide with extensive estimates at national level of potential biomass productivity of short rotation poplar plantations and the obtained ecosystem services related to soil and water quality. The use of poplar for production of biomass for energy (but also for other purposes) is gaining more interest amongst farmers instead of willow. The research team of this project has previously developed modelling approaches using large samples of commercial willow plantations (c 3000) as well as trials and experiments, but available information for poplar concerning the production under different management regimes and their environmental impact is still limited to a few commercial plantations and trials set in the country. The objective of this research proposal is to use the results obtained by ongoing projects with poplar dealing with production models, management issues (fertilization trials) and environmental effects of poplar cultivation when compared to other land uses, to provide with extensive estimates at national level of potential productivity and environmental impact of poplar plantations. This will be achieved by collecting and structuring the available information, and by extrapolating using the previous experience with willow as a basis.
Sweden