Naslov
Reaching economic feasibility of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) plantations by monetizing ecosystem services: showcasing the contribution of SRCs to long term ragweed control in the city of Osijek, Croatia

Autori
Kulišić, Biljana ; Fištrek, Željka ; Gantner, Ranko ; Ivezić, Vladimir ; Glavaš, Hrvoje ; Dvoržak, Domagoj ; Pohajda, Ines

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Forests 2018, 9, 693:Conference Report The 2018 Woody Crops International Conference / Gardiner, Emile S. ; Ghezehei, Solomon B. ; Ghezehei, William L. ; Richardson, Jim ; Soolanayakanahally, Raju Y. ; Stanton, Brian J. ; Zalesny Jr., Ronald S. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI, 2018, 4-5

Skup
The 2018 Woody Crops International Conference

Mjesto i datum
Rhinelander (WI), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 22.07.2018. - 27.07.2018

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Short Rotation Coppice ; ecosystem services ; common ragweed

Sažetak
Background: In Europe, biomass for the energy from Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) plantations is seldom feasible except in unique site- specific cases. If society placed priority and value on ecosystem services, then SRC plantations would increase in favorability for providing bioenergy feedstock. Showcasing examples of plantations providing multiple ecosystem services along with monetizing those services could prove important in moving public opinion. We report the case study of Osijek, which is a city of 100, 000 inhabitants in Northern Croatia, where an interdisciplinary team of experts investigated planting SRCs for bioenergy as a long-term measure for control and eradication of an allergen and invasive plant, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). The ultimate goal is to improve living standards of the citizens of Osijek. Methods: Based on a literature review of ragweed biology and the effectiveness of eradication trials, an assumption was made that SRC plantations in the outer ring of the town could serve as wind/pollen barriers and, thus, a long-term hygiene measure at infestation pathways. Based on local meteorological data, prevailing wind currents for pollen distribution were established and suitable locations for SRC wind barriers were identified. Our analysis considered the attractiveness of planting SRC willow (Salix spp.) plantations on agricultural land, public funds spent for short-term interventions against ragweed, and costs (days of sick leave) to the local economy. Economic models used in our analysis were based on: (1) a societal interest in planting SRC plantations for long-term ragweed control that would offset public money invested in the compensation for allergy symptoms Forests 2018, 9, 693 5 of 34 and (2) opportunities for farmers to change land use from agricultural crop production to SRC plantations. Net revenues from expected biomass yields for bioenergy markets were assessed to offset investment costs. Results: Positioning SRC investments as wind barriers together with net revenues from biomass forbioenergyillustratedanewperspectiveontheecon omicsofSRCs. Whileproductionofbiomassfor bioenergyfromSRCplantationswasnotanattractiveop tiontocropfarmers, theadditionofecosystem servicesfromstrategicallylocatedplantingsitesch angedinvestmentattractiveness. Ahighreplicability potential has been identified based on model results for common ragweed distribution, projected climate change, and expected increased sensitivity of the human population to ragweed pollen. Conclusions: Biomass for bioenergy is needed to supply the society with renewable carbon. SRC plantations have demonstrated carbon savings, various ecosystem services, and sustainable biomass supply. Yet, the feasibility of SRC plantations remains a challenge. Overlapping ecosystem serviceswithbiomassproductioncanyieldpositivebe nefits, butinterdisciplinaryresearchisneededto identifyandmonetizeecosystemservicesthatwouldha vepositiveeconomicsandhighreproducibility. This case demonstrates viable methods that can be presented to policy makers and the general public who are not directly familiar with SRC plantings, bioenergy, or ecosystem services.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija), Šumarstvo

POVEZANOST RADA