A sustainable forest management and the use of woody biomass to produce renewable energy and byproducts represent the most important contribution of forest ecosystems to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG).
To manage the complexity of forest system, in accordance with Kyoto Protocol and with the national guidelines for the reduction of GHG emissions, it is necessary to introduce new forms of monitoring and forest inventory.
The project FABER will develop an integrated system of forest management that will increase its sustainability. On one side, the use of new forms of monitoring (LIDAR data, aerial-photogrammetry and multispectral data) will enhance the level of the information of main forest parameters (volume, biomass, species, carbon stocks). Such information will help to improve the evaluation of the forest system and implementing forest management plans to make these more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
On the other hand, in accordance with the directions of circular economy, it will improve the management and processing of the forest industry residues with the introduction of an innovative and patented system for the carbonization of waste and the generation of energy and biochar as byproduct.
Goals
- Development of monitoring technologies (LIDAR) for forest resources assessment and collection of real-time data on the productivity of forest biomass;
- Improved planning and integrated management of the forest-wood-energy value chain for increased sustainability of resources, through application of geomatic and modelling technologies;
- Introduction in the forest-wood-energy value chain of an innovative and patented system for the carbonization of the forest woody wastes and the subsequent use of biochar as soil improvement, with benefits for environment and climate;
- Carbon sequestration in a stable form in the soil, through carbonization of plant biomass (thermochemical decomposition), to favour a decrease in mineralization and in the loss of organic matter by leaching.
Activities plan
- Acquisition and processing of remote sensing data (LIDAR, multispectral). Construction and management of databases / inventories;
- Ground monitoring to verify and integrate remote sensing data;
- Cutting of forest biomass and collection of the wood residues;
- Carbonization of the woody waste to produce biochar (soil improver) and syngas (fuel);
- Evaluation of biochar effects on forest soils.