Keyword: biochar

Integrated biochar research: A roadmap

A scientific consensus is building that the drawdown of very large amounts (at least 1,000 Gt [1.1 x 1012 tn]) of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere will be needed to stabilize the earth’s climate system at a safe temperature (Hansen et al. 2008; Cao and Caldeira 2010; IPCC 2018, 2019).

Woody biochar potential for abandoned mine land restoration in the U.S.: A review

There are thousands of abandoned mine land (AML) sites in the U.S. that need to be restored to reduce wind and water erosion, provide wildlife forage, shade streams, and improve productivity. Biochar created from woody biomass that would normally be burned in slash piles can be applied to soil to improve soil properties and is one method to restore AML soil productive capacity.

Biochar potential to enhance forest resilience, seedling quality, and nursery efficiency

Land managers face a mounting variety of challenges, including how to efficiently dispose of excessive woody residues on forest sites (especially in the Western United States), maintain and improve soil productivity, improve forest resilience to changes in climate (especially as it pertains to drought and fire), and increase the effectiveness of reforestation activities.

Financial viability of biofuel and biochar production from forest biomass in the face of market price volatility and uncertainty

A comparative techno-economic analysis of two different thermochemical biomass conversion pathways was conducted to examine the effects of fuel price and other variables on project financial performance.

Life cycle assessment of activated carbon from woody biomass

Activated carbon (AC) developed and marketed for water and gas purification is traditionally made from hard coals (fossil-based materials). However, increasing awareness of environmental impacts caused by fossil fuel consumption and fossil-based products has provided a market opportunity for renewable and low-impact biobased products as alternatives including AC.

Using organic amendments to restore soil physical and chemical properties of a mine site in northeastern Oregon, USA

New cost-effective strategies are needed to reclaim soils disturbed from mining activity on National Forests. In addition, disposal of waste wood from local timber harvest operations or biosolids from waste water treatment plants can be expensive. Therefore, using organic byproducts for soil reclamation activities on National Forests may provide an opportunity to increase soil cover and productivity, and decrease restoration costs.

Idaho forest growth response to post-thinning energy biomass removal and complementary soil amendments

Utilization of woody biomass for biofuel can help meet the need for renewable energy production. However, there is a concern biomass removal will deplete soil nutrients, having short- and long-term effects on tree growth.

Nonmarket benefits of reducing environmental effects of potential wildfires in beetle-killed trees: A contingent valuation study

We estimated Colorado households’ nonmarket values for two forest management options for reducing intensity of future wildfires and associated nonmarket environmental effects wildfires. The first policy is the traditional harvesting of pine beetle-killed trees and burning of the slash piles of residual materials on-site.