Browsing by Author "Nahm, Michael"

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    Alley coppice-a new system with ancient roots
    (EDP Sciences, 2014-07-01T00:00:00Z) Morhart, Christopher D.; Douglas, Gerry C.; Dupraz, Christian; Graves, Anil R.; Nahm, Michael; Paris, Pierluigi; Sauter, Udo H.; Sheppard, Jonathan; Spiecker, Heinrich
    Context: Current production from natural forests will not satisfy future world demand for timber and fuel wood, and new land management options are required. Aims: We explore an innovative production system that combines the production of short rotation coppice in wide alleys with the production of high-value trees on narrow strips of land; it is an alternative form of alley cropping which we propose to call 'alley coppice'. The aim is to describe this alley coppice system and to illustrate its potential for producing two diverse products, namely high-value timber and energy wood on the same land unit. Methods: Based on a comprehensive literature review, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of the alley coppice system and contrast the features with well-known existing or past systems of biomass and wood production. Results: We describe and discuss the basic aspects of alley coppice, its design and dynamics, the processes of competition and facilitation, issues of ecology, and areas that are open for future research. Conclusion: Based on existing knowledge, a solid foundation for the implementation of alley coppice on suitable land is presented, and the high potential of this system could be shown.
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    Comparative economics of Sida hermaphrodita (l.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. as bioenergy crops in Europe
    (Elsevier, 2022-05-26) Cumplido-Marin, Laura; Burgess, Paul J.; Facciotto, Gianni; Coaloa, Domenico; Morhart, Christopher; Bury, Marek; Paris, Pierluigi; Nahm, Michael; Graves, Anil R.
    The purpose of this research was to fill the identified gap on financial data of Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (Sida) and Silphium perfoliatum L. (Silphium), two perennial bioenergy crops that potentially provide a more sustainable alternative/complement to other bioenergy crops. Using discounted cash flow analysis, the Net Present Values of Sida and Silphium were compared to a rotation of other arable crops including maize, and the two energy crops of short rotation coppice and Miscanthus. The analysis was completed using the SidaTim analysis tool for the UK, Italy, Germany and Poland, producing a total of four independent models. The results showed that with no subsidies, cultivating Sida was unattractive in all four countries relative to other crop options. However, Silphium, was an economically viable option in each country. Both Sida and Silphium can offer greater environmental benefits than other arable crops, and the profitability of each crop would be further enhanced if additional payments for such public services were made to farmers, and if there were secure markets for the sale of the biomass. This study is the first comparative economic analysis in West and Central Europe of the two novel energy crops in comparison to more common energy crops and an arable rotation.
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    Performance of Sida hermaphrodita and silphium perfoliatum in Europe: Preliminary results
    (2018-12-31) Facciotto, Gianni; Bury, Marek; Chiocchini, Francesca; Cumplido-Marin, Laura; Czyż, Henryk; Graves, Anil; Kitczak, Teodor; Martens, Reent; Morhart, Christopher; Paris, Pierluigi; Nahm, Michael
    This paper reports preliminary results on growth and biomass production of two perennial herbs, Sida hermaphrodita (Virginia Mallow) and Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant), tested in the frame of SidaTim project (FACCE-SURPLUS) in German, Italy, Poland and UK. Sida can be used for energy or as a basic compound for various material products, such as fibre products or particle board. Silphium can be alternative to maize for biogas production.