Status and prospects for renewable energy using wood pellets from the southeastern United States

摘要: The ongoing debate about costs and benefits of wood-pellet based bioenergy production in the southeastern United States (SE USA) requires an understanding science context influencing market decisions associated with its sustainability. Production pellets has garnered much attention as US exports have grown from negligible amounts early 2000s to 4.6 million metric tonnes 2015. Currently, 98% these pellet are shipped Europe displace coal power plants. We ask, 'How is wood SE USA affecting forest systems ecosystem services they provide?' To address this question, we review current conditions status products industry, how affects biodiversity, what methods place monitor changes protect vulnerable systems. Scientific studies provide evidence that a fraction total forestry operations can be produced while maintaining or improving services. Ecosystem protected by requirement utilize loggers trained apply scientifically best management practices planning implementing harvest for export market. Bioenergy markets supplement incomes private rural landholders incentive simultaneously benefit water quality wildlife reduce risk fire insect outbreaks. also increases value land landowners, thereby decreasing likelihood conversion nonforest uses. Monitoring evaluation essential verify regulations good achieving goals enable timely responses if problems arise. Conducting rigorous research understand change response choices baseline data, monitoring, appropriate reference scenarios. Long-term monitoring data on should publicly accessible utilized inform adaptive management.