First results from the UK network to establish the greenhouse gas balance of land conversion to second generation bioenergy willow, Miscanthus and short rotation forestry (original) (raw)

AI-generated Abstract

The ELUM project, a UK consortium with seven partners, investigates the greenhouse gas balance of land conversion to second generation bioenergy crops, including Miscanthus and short rotation forestry. A network of six sites across the UK is being used to measure soil GHG fluxes (CO2, N2O, CH4) in various land-use transitions. Preliminary results indicate that while CO2 fluxes increase during summer, non-CO2 GHGs contribute minimally to the carbon footprint. The study also examines the impact of different Miscanthus genotypes on soil GHG emissions, revealing no significant trends. This research aims to enhance understanding of land-use change, assess sustainability, and inform national GHG inventories.