Wood ash recycling
- long-term effects on tree growth
In some Nordic countries the energy produced from biofuels makes a substantial part of the total energy production. The intention is to increase the share of renewables in the overall energy mix. Utilization of tops and branches as biofuels from whole-tree harvesting entails a lager export of nutrients and increased soil acidification than at conventional harvesting of stems. Wood ash recycling has been suggested as a means to counteract these effects.
The objective of this project is to summarize and possibly forecast the long-term effects (10–20 years) of wood ash application on tree growth in conifer forests on mineral soils. Researchers from Sweden, Finland, Norway and Lithuania are collaborating. The project has grants from SNS, SamNordisk Skogsforskning, and runs over the period 2009–2010.
Project description (pdf; 108 kB)
Contact
Project leader Dr. Ulf Sikström, ulf.sikstrom@skogforsk.se