Assessment of abandoned agricultural land resource for bio-energy production in Estonia

作者：Kukk Liia^*; Astover Alar; Muiste Peeter; Noormets Merrit; Roostalu Hugo; Sepp Kalev; Suuster Elsa

来源：Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B-Soil and Plant Science, 2010, 60(2): 166-173.

DOI：10.1080/09064710902798311

• Abandoned fields
• biomass energy potential
• GIS
• location-specific analysis
• soil-crop suitability

The current study locates and quantifies abandoned agricultural areas using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and evaluates the suitability of abandoned fields for bio-energy production in Tartumaa (Tartu County) in Estonia. Soils of abandoned areas are generally of low quality and thereby limited suitability for crop production; as a result soil-crop suitability analyses could form the basis of knowledge-based bio-energy planning. The study estimated suitable areas for bio-energy production using willow (Salix sp), grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench], hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.xPopulus tremula L.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and Caucasian goat's rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) in separate plantations. A combined land-use strategy is also presented as these crops are partially suitable to the same areas. Reed canary grass and grey alder have the highest energy potentials and each would re-use more than 80% of the available abandoned agricultural land. Energy grasses and short-rotation forestry in combined land-use strategy represents the opportunity of covering approximately a quarter of county's annual energy demand. The study estimates only agronomic potential, so further bio-energy analysis should take into account technical and economic limitations. Developed framework supports knowledge-based decision-making processes from field to regional scale to achieve sustainable bio-energy production.

• 出版日期2010