Systems Integration for Biochar in European Forestry: Drivers and Strategies

Abstract

Biochar is a product with multiple functions and a range of uses, and which could be manufactured from a range of biomass types, including wood and forest residues. Economic production and use of biochar may take place within spatial boundaries that contrast greatly in total area and patchiness. At the moment, however, biochar is generally considered at a project level and assessed quite narrowly from the perspective of soil or crop effects or energy yield. This chapter presents a set of scenarios for how biomass from trees grown in different contexts might lead to production of biochar used and deployed for contrasting purposes in multiple markets. The integration required across markets and sectors is considered, distinguishing options that are more or less spatially contained (circular versus directional), with implications for environmental sustainability. Four types of forestry are considered as a source of biomass: brownfield sites, short rotation forestry, short rotation coppice and trees on amenity land. As well as forestry, horticulture, agriculture and the urban landscape are considered as consumers of biochar, often as a formulated product. The scenarios emphasize the range of opportunities that may be available, but also the complexity of the systems fit, which includes aspects of spatial logistics and questions of scale.