Title:
Establishing Ecologically Sustainable Forest Biomass Supply Chains in the Boreal Forest of Canada
Author(s):
Thiffault, E., Paré, D., Bernier, P., Cormier, D., Volpé, S., Smith, C.T.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Forest biomass in the form of harvest residues and dead wood from naturally-disturbed stands, represents by far the largest biomass feedstock currently available for bioenergy production in Canada. The sheer extent and variability of the Canadian boreal forest landbase and the huge potential from naturally-disturbed stands are key features of the Canadian biomass resource that set it apart from other countries. Estimates of availability of forest biomass are dependent on ecological, operational, economic and sociopolitical factors that are variable by nature, such as ecosystem disturbance cycles, the demand for traditional forest products and forest management decisions. Moreover, the forest bioenergy sector is evolving rapidly as policies and sustainability criteria are being developed and implemented. While both national and international bodies are considering how biomass supply chains and markets might be effectively steered and governed, there is a clear need for communication and outreach between stakeholders of different jurisdictions (national and supra-national), and from both importing and exporting countries, so that development of policy mechanisms takes into account both higher concerns for sustainability and specific local conditions, along with scientific and expert knowledge and existing governance schemes, and does not create barriers to mobilization of sustainable biomass supply chains and to international bioenergy trade.
Keywords:
ecosystems, forestry, harvesting, sustainability, supply chain, environmental impact
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass potentials and biomass mobilisation
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AO.6.3
Pages:
42 - 45
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1AO.6.3
Price:
FREE
