Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 November 2024 | Viewed by 1257

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6125, USA
Interests: biomaterials from lignocellulosic sources; novel composites; nano-biocomposites; engineered wood-based composites; forest resources in US history
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest biomass utilization has significant implications for global sustainable development across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Utilizing forest biomass sustainably presents both opportunities and challenges in the transition towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources. From an environmental perspective, responsible forest biomass utilization can contribute to mitigating climate change by substituting fossil fuels with biomass-derived energy, and/or using mass timber products as carbon sequesters. Economically, forest biomass utilization creates jobs in the forestry, processing, and bioenergy sectors. On a social level, biomass utilization can enhance energy security and access, particularly in rural and remote areas where conventional sources may be limited. The main challenges include ensuring biomass extraction does not exceed forest regeneration rates, protecting biodiversity, and addressing land-use conflicts. Policy frameworks are crucial to promoting sustainable practices, including robust regulations, incentives for sustainable forestry, and investment in research and development for efficient forest biomass utilization technologies. This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the most recent advances in the field of forest biomass and their applications in diverse areas, keeping in mind the concept of global sustainable development.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Mass timber products and developments;
  • Biochar applications;
  • Sustainable Forestry;
  • Bioenergy;
  • Biomass forestry applications in rural areas;
  • Forest ecosystem for sustainable forest biomass;
  • Carbon sequestration and carbon credits;
  • Sustainable management of forest resources ;
  • Future perspectives for forest biomass.

Dr. Gloria Oporto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest biomass
  • bioenergy
  • engineered wood composites
  • engineered wood products
  • biochar
  • wood products market
  • carbon sequestration
  • carbon credits

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

19 pages, 3203 KiB  
Review
Wood-Based Bioenergy in North America: An Overview of Current Knowledge
by Bharat Sharma Acharya, Pradip Saud, Sadikshya Sharma, Gustavo Perez-Verdin, Donald L. Grebner and Omkar Joshi
Forests 2024, 15(9), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091669 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 843
Abstract
Policy priorities for wood-based bioenergy in North America have undergone fluctuations over time, influenced significantly by the dynamic interplay of sociopolitical factors. Recent years, however, have seen a renewed public interest in wood-based bioenergy in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This resurgence [...] Read more.
Policy priorities for wood-based bioenergy in North America have undergone fluctuations over time, influenced significantly by the dynamic interplay of sociopolitical factors. Recent years, however, have seen a renewed public interest in wood-based bioenergy in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This resurgence is driven by fluctuating energy prices and growing concerns about climate change. This review provides an overview of current energy production and consumption scenarios, and highlights critical issues related to the sustainability of bioenergy feedstocks and their economic potential across the three North American countries. Different cross-cutting issues related to public health, climate change, and social acceptance of wood-based bioenergy are thoroughly examined. Within this context, several challenges have been identified, including uncertainties in climate projections, inadequate tree inventories beyond forestlands, deforestation concerns, technological shifts in wood processing, fluctuations in bioenergy demand, and the imperative need for access to reliable markets. Addressing these challenges requires increased research and investment in wood-based energy to enhance energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve economic and social viability in bioenergy production. This proactive approach is vital for fostering a sustainable and resilient wood-based bioenergy sector in North America. Full article
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