Biomass procurement in boreal forests affected by spruce budworm: effects on regeneration, costs, and carbon balance

Abstract

Biomass procured from forests affected by natural disturbances as a bioenergy source is increasingly considered in the context of climate change mitigation. By comparing clearcuts with and without biomass procurement, we aimed to determine the effects of biomass extraction performed alongside lumber harvesting on regeneration density, number of planting microsites, forest renewal costs, and carbon fluxes, in harvested boreal stands affected by spruce budworm. The results showed that biomass procurement increased regeneration density and number of planting microsites. Reduction of downed woody debris due to biomass procurement lowered site preparation costs by 282.07 $CAN·ha−1, equivalent to 14.45 $CAN per oven-dry metric ton (odmt−1) of harvested biomass. Product value from biomass processing had to reach from 13.90 to 76.84 $CAN·odmt−1 to make biomass procurement operations profitable. Since biomass procurement significantly increased stocking and reduced the amount of decaying debris, it also reduced cumulative CO2 emissions relative to scenarios without biomass procurement. However, ensuring forest renewal through site preparation and plantation per se, irrespective of biomass procurement, played a more important role for carbon sequestration and net balance. Integrating biomass harvesting with silviculture could have significant ecological and financial impacts on forest management while supporting mitigation efforts against climate change.