There is a large amount of organic matter available for the generation of renewable energy. This organic matter is called biomass. Energy can be obtained by burning biomass in a sustainable way, since they are resources that are not exhaustible over time.
However, for the use of biomass from forests to be sustainable, it is required that the felling of the wood is done in a selective way, respecting the times of the trees and fulfilling the periods of recovery of the vegetation. If we start logging and logging, obtaining energy from biomass will not be sustainable. How should forest management and sustainable biomass be complemented to avoid deforestation globally?
Forest exploitation
Today in our current economic system, everything that has utility is given an economic value and is "taken into account." That is why, if we use forests as an alternative to energy generation, deforestation can be avoided globally. However, for this to happen, forests must be well managed and renewable biomass energy used in a sustainable way.
This is discussed in an article by Marcos Francos, from the Grup de Recerca Ambiental Mediterrània, from the Department of Geography at the University of Barcelona, and María Pardo-Lucas, from the Department of Geography at the University of Salamanca. Selective logging and the creation of a discontinuous mosaic on the forest mass could help to achieve the objectives of obtaining a way for biomass energy and also, we will be able to maintain the cleared places with some type of rural recreational use and sustainable with the environment. . These actions also help prevent forest fires.
For example, in some areas of Peru reforestation programs are being carried out for energy purposes. In this way, a forestry scenario is replanted and enough biomass is obtained so that, in a sustainable way in time and space, biomass power generation can be exploited. However, this technique must be carried out in a sustainable way, since, if not, overexploitation could destroy the ecosystems that depend on these forest masses, including all species of flora, fauna and others. This problem of excessive use of forest resources affects above all third world countries where the use of this type of energy is the order of the day.
The panorama in Spain
On the other hand, in Spain, the forest mass has increased in the last 100 years due to rural exoduses. This is an economic-social event that is based on the abandonment of the rural environment towards the big cities. This creates a decrease in the use of forest resources, so that allows forests and natural environments to regenerate. As there are not so many people living in the countryside, forest exploitation has begun such as clearing and selective logging for the generation of biomass energy.
The remains of the production of shavings for use in the pellet boiler that serve us, can be returned to the forest and spread on the ground to help soil regeneration and protection from external agents.
There are plans that work on soil management, others on reforestation and forest control, etc. All of them are aimed at the sustainable use of forest resources and the generation of renewable energy. With this we have two clear advantages: resources are used and forest areas are used and cared for, thus protecting biodiversity and natural environments and, on the other hand, we generate renewable energy, avoiding the consumption of fossil fuels.
Impact on a global scale
These reforestation plans are helping to reduce forest mass losses globally. In recent years, 125 million hectares of natural forest have been lost, however forest plantations they have increased by 31 million hectares.
The problem with this type of exploitation is that on some occasions an indiscriminate felling of forest mass is carried out. However, thanks to the Kyoto Protocol, economic compensation mechanisms were developed to encourage countries to carry out sustainable forest management and avoid indiscriminate felling.