Biodiversity and energy wood – The use of energy wood as an approach to preserving and developing nationally significant habitats

Climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity are among the most pressing tasks of our time. Many species and communities in open and semi-open landscapes are endangered by woody succession as a result of lack of use. The National Strategy on Biological Diversity aims to halt the decline in biodiversity and endangered habitat types in the cultural landscape and to promote their conservation by supporting sustainable forms of management.

While traditional farming methods are often no longer profitable, the use of growing wood as an energy source could potentially establish a new component for habitats in need of care, such as semi-dry grasslands and heaths. The conditions are favorable: the German government’s National Climate Protection Initiative and the Renewable Energy Sources Act require and promote, among other things, the conversion of plants or plant components from landscape conservation into electricity.

Project priorities

However, there are still many unanswered questions and uncertainties regarding the use of landscape management wood for energy purposes. For example, the potential area and biomass are largely unknown. It is unclear which technology and logistics chains can be used to utilize landscape management wood and, ultimately, what the costs would be. In addition, the effects of efficient energy wood use on the flora and fauna of habitats that are often protected by law have not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Under the leadership of the David Nature Foundation, a joint project is currently being carried out with a focus on the scientifically monitored harvesting and processing of biogenic landscape management wood as a residual material.

Project region

Sachsen-Anhalt

Further project details

• model backdrop

  A robust database is to be created through model harvesting of selected, very diverse areas. Representative areas in various habitats have been selected in Thuringia and Brandenburg for this purpose. A total of approximately 40 model areas reflect the predominant biotope types. The spectrum ranges from mountain meadows to semi-dry grasslands and orchard meadows to sandy dry grasslands and heaths. Most of the model areas are located in protected areas (NSG, FFH). Harvesting of the areas will take place in stages between 2009 and 2013.

  

• Work packages & partners

  The ecological and economic balance of the harvesting technologies used can be considered overarching aspects of all investigations. Another goal of the project is to develop a practical and accurate method for determining biomass potential. The David Nature Foundation was able to enlist renowned institutions for the accompanying scientific investigations. The technical part of the studies is being supported by a renowned forestry engineering firm. An analysis of wood chip quality is being carried out by the Thuringian State Institute for Agriculture, while greenhouse gas accounting is being performed by the German Biomass Research Center. Nature conservation monitoring is being carried out by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (vegetation studies) and Erfurt University of Applied Sciences (fauna).

  

• Nature conservation monitoring

  The vegetation ecology studies conducted by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, together with the animal ecology studies conducted by Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, form the decisive basis for the designation of nature-friendly harvesting and logistics procedures for the energetic use of landscape conservation wood. For all model areas, specific investigation and evaluation criteria were defined for each target and area (e.g., with regard to structure, species inventory, habitat quality for target species). Vegetation ecology study areas and transects are used to record the criteria for various animal groups (e.g., grasshoppers, butterflies, birds, reptiles). The condition of the area is examined and evaluated both before and after the clearing measures (coupled target/actual/before/after comparison). Technical consequences such as soil damage, compaction, residual wood deposits, and the height of remaining tree stumps and trunks are assessed in terms of potential negative effects on stand development (e.g., through nutrient input) and for the intended follow-up management (e.g., through obstruction of mowing/grazing).

  The scientific data collected as part of the subproject (performance monitoring and technology assessment) provide insights into the applicability of energy wood utilization systems in nature conservation areas and their potential contribution to maintaining nationally significant habitats. Based on the studies, nature conservation recommendations will be derived regarding the use of the biogenic residue “landscape management wood” in different habitats.

  

  

• What happens next?

  To date, 22 model areas have been cleared during the winter months and the harvested material has been processed into wood chips for energy use. All other model areas are to be harvested by 2013. In cooperation with nature conservation and forestry authorities, a targeted follow-up management plan is being established to keep the cleared areas open in the long term. By synthesizing the results from the subprojects, practical concepts, measures, and methods for the efficient and environmentally friendly use of “landscape conservation wood” in nature conservation areas will be derived. In the future, these will also contribute to minimizing the costs of nature conservation for landscape management. The results should be useful for nature conservation and forestry administrations, landscape conservation associations, and companies in the fields of forestry, horticulture, and technology manufacturing. In addition, they should serve to adapt and concretize nature conservation promotion guidelines and be implemented in current political processes for climate protection and biodiversity conservation.