| Popis: |
In Europe, poplar and other fast-growing tree species are considered valuable resources for sustaining the required wood demand in the bioeconomy. The agricultural technique of short rotation coppice (SRC) has gained relevance to ease the pressure of wood demand from forests. Previous studies have implemented the life cycle methodology (LCA) to evaluate such systems’ potential environmental impacts. These studies present different outcomes, though a general pattern on the potential benefit of SRC is observed. The variation on relevant methodological choices, such as goal and scope, system boundary, functional unit, reference system, data source, characterization models, and impacts assessed, can significantly affect the results. A consequence of this discrepancy is its effect on results interpretation, making the absolute comparison of case studies challenging and hindering the understanding of the potential impacts of SRC LCA in support of developing a sustainable bioeconomy. Therefore, the current research attempts to understand the methodological implementation of LCA in assessing SRC projects. Through literature research, the studies are analysed based on the four LCA phases. One of the results of this study shows how most of the articles focused on assessing the climate change related impact category, while other environmental issues that are particularly relevant for agricultural woody biomass systems are seldomly evaluated. By presenting the state of the art of SRC LCA, this review paper attempts to reduce uncertainties and limitations of developing such life-cycle-based approaches. Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung This study received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 745874 |
