Angela Karp,Steve J.Hanley,Sviatlana O.Trybush,William Macalpine,Ming Pei and Ian Shield Centre for Bioenergy and Climate Change,Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department,Rothamsted Research,Harpenden,Hertfordshire,AL5 2JQ,UK
Abstract:
Willows (Salix spp.) are a very diverse group of catkin-bearing trees and shrubs that are widely distributed across temperate regions of the globe.Some species respond well to being grown in short rotation coppice (SRC) cycles,which are much shorter than conventional forestry.Coppicing reinvigorates growth and the biomass rapidly accumulated can be used as a source of renewable carbon for bioenergy and biofuels.As SRC willows re-distribute nutrients during the perennial cycle they require only minimal nitro...