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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2011

Effects of climate change on biomass production and substitution in north-central Sweden

Poudel Chandra, Bishnu; Sathre, Roger; Gustavsson, Leif; Bergh, Johan; Lundström, Anders; Hyvönen, Riitta

Abstract

In this study we estimate the effects of climate change on forest production in north-central Sweden, as well as the potential climate change mitigation feedback effects of the resulting increased carbon stock and forest product use. Our results show that an average regional temperature rise of 4 degrees C over the next 100 years may increase annual forest production by 33% and potential annual harvest by 32%, compared to a reference case without climate change. This increased biomass production, if used to substitute fossil fuels and energy-intensive materials, can result in a significant net carbon emission reduction. We find that carbon stock in forest biomass, forest soils, and wood products also increase, but this effect is less significant than biomass substitution. A total net reduction in carbon emissions of up to 104 Tg of carbon can occur over 100 years, depending on harvest level and reference fossil fuel. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Climate change; Forest production; Biomass substitution; Climate feedback; Sweden

Published in

Biomass and Bioenergy
2011, Volume: 35, number: 10, pages: 4340-4355
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

      SLU Authors

      • Associated SLU-program

        SLU Future Forests

        Sustainable Development Goals

        SDG13 Climate action
        SDG12 Responsible consumption and production

        UKÄ Subject classification

        Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
        Forest Science
        Renewable Bioenergy Research

        Publication identifier

        DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.08.005

        Permanent link to this page (URI)

        https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58732