GIS-based Tools for Regional Assessments and Planning Processes Regarding Potential Environmental Effects of Poplar SRC |
| |
Authors: | Gerald Busch |
| |
Institution: | 1.Balsa - Buro for applied landscape ecology and scenario analysis,Goettingen,Germany |
| |
Abstract: | Based on regional stakeholder preferences and planning guidelines as allocation criteria for SRC, this study aims at providing
a transparent approach to evaluate multiple environmental effects and the regional significance of SRC systems. Using the
example of two poplar SRC-systems (4-year rotation, 9-year rotation) the potential effects on ground water supply, wind erosion,
and biodiversity aspects are evaluated in comparison to arable land for two selected municipalities in the district of Uelzen,
Germany. Building on fuzzy membership functions and simple fuzzy-logic rules, the qualitative multi-criteria assessment is
transparent and easily to adapt. This approach is transferable to other regions and spatial levels, since it derives from
commonly available data and scientific evidence. Results show that implementation of SRC could provide multiple beneficial
environmental effects, especially in areas with low landscape heterogeneity. The tools provided allow for a multi-criteria
evaluation of environmental effects, and reveal the sensitivity to distinct allocation patterns. Physiographical conditions
of the study area implicate a preference for mini-SRC systems. This is supported by smaller decline of annual deep percolation
water compared to maxi-SRC. On average, decline in groundwater recharge of mini-SRC (92mm a−1) is comparable to irrigated arable land (80mm a−1), which is common practice in the study area. Currently, the utilization of beneficial environmental SRC effects is quite
limited, since only 3 % of arable land is suitable for SRC implementation regarding farmers’ preferences for SRC allocation.
Allocation preferences could however change substantially with increasing incentives for SRC, e.g., due to regional bioenergy
schemes or “Greening” initiatives within the European Common Agricultural Policy, which is to be reformed by 2013. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|