Energetic forest modeling: management strategies to mitigate the impact of variability and climate change on forest growth and productivity

• Grant number: 18/06023-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Durval Dourado Neto
• Grantee: Felipe Schwerz
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The search for alternative sources of energy has shown to be a global demand. Motivated by its concern for climate change and the depletion of natural resources, the world market has demonstrated interest in the study and adoption of alternative renewable sources of energy. One possible alternative is the use of forest biomass.In this context, it is necessary to carry out studies that aimed to evaluate the growth and productivity of different forest species, in current and future climatic conditions. Thus, the aims of this project are: (i) to evaluate the growth, productivity and carbon storage of four forest species grown in four planting spacings; (ii) to analyze the influence of meteorological variables on growth and productivity; (iii) to determine the hypsometric relationship by different hypsometric models and their ensemble; (iv) to adapt, calibrate and evaluate the 3PG model for productivity estimation; (v) to evaluate the sensitivity of the model to the meteorological variables; (vi) assess the effect of climate change on forest productivity; and (vii) propose management actions for the species studied, in order to mitigate the possible impact of variability and climate change on forest growth and productivity..Therefore, destructive and non-destructive growth and productivity data of four forest species (Eucalyptus grandis, Acacia mearnsii, Mimosa scabrella, and Ateleia glazioviana) plants grown in four spacing (2x1, 2x1,5, 3x1 and 3x1.5 m2) over the period 2008-2017. Based on the results obtained, it is proposed to suggest management strategies for the species studied, in order to mitigate the possible impact of variability and climate change on forest growth and productivity, in order to meet the demand for forest biomass.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SCHWERZ, FELIPE; ELOY, ELDER; ELLI, ELVIS FELIPE; CARON, BRAULIO OTOMAR. Reduced planting spacing increase radiation use efficiency and biomass for energy in black wattle plantations: Towards sustainable production systems. BIOMASS & BIOENERGY, v. 120, p. 229-239, JAN 2019. (18/06023-6)

SCHWERZ, FELIPE; DOURADO NETO, DURVAL; CARON, BRAULIO OTOMAR; NARDINI, CLAITON; SGARBOSSA, JAQUELINE; ELOY, ELDER; BEHLING, ALEXANDRE; ELLI, ELVIS FELIPE; REICHARDT, KLAUS. Biomass and potential energy yield of perennial woody energy crops under reduced planting spacing. RENEWABLE ENERGY, v. 153, p. 1238-1250, JUN 2020. (18/06023-6)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SCHWERZ, Felipe. Climate and forest plantation: the carbon storage and energy biomass production in Southern Brazil. 2019. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC) Piracicaba.