Understanding short rotation forestry in support of a low-emissions future

Short rotation forestry – the process of cultivating fast-growing trees which are then harvested at a young age specifically for biomass production – is a sustainable practice which can offer significant environmental and benefits including carbon sequestration.

In this webinar you’ll hear about the latest research into short rotation forestry and gain a better understanding of how the practice can support a low-emissions future.

Dr Hannah Gruffudd and Dr Carly Whittaker from Forest Research will summarise the latest growth, mortality and above-ground estimates from the short rotation forestry trials taking place across the UK. They will discuss which species are looking like top candidates for short rotation forestry in the UK and touch on the policy outlook.

Alan Jones from Scion in New Zealand will then present new research comparing the emissions reduction potential of short-rotation forestry bioenergy with other afforestation options, including carbon forestry, native regeneration and conventional plantation forestry.

Drawing on a 50-year carbon accounting analysis, he will explore how land-use change, value-chain emissions and fossil-fuel displacement influence climate change mitigation, and the role of forest biomass in supporting a low-emissions future.

At the end of the webinar there will be an opportunity for questions.

Speakers

Dr Hannah Gruffudd, Forest Research

Dr Hannah Gruffudd is a Research Scientist at Forest Research. She is a mathematical modeller, working within the Forest Mensuration, Modelling and Forecasting Science Group. Hannah’s work encompasses developing mathematical models forming fundamental components of more complex models of forest growth, wood production and carbon balance.

Alan Jones, Scion

Alan Jones is a Senior Scientist at Scion, New Zealand’s forest research institute. He leads research on sustainable forest bioenergy and diversification of forestry systems. An ecologist by training, Alan has over 20 years’ experience researching climate change, carbon dynamics and sustainable forest management across temperate, tropical and Arctic ecosystems.

Dr Carly Whittaker, Forest Research

Dr Carly Whittaker is a Senior Carbon Scientist at Forest Research. She supports the work undertaken by the Mensuration Growth and Yield team, focussing on research into the carbon balances of forest systems. Carly is a Life Cycle Assessment practitioner and has specialised in bioenergy since 2006.