Compensation of Nutrient Losses Resulting from the Intensified Use of Woody Biomass Using Bark‐Ash Pellets

Estimation of Nutrient Exports Resulting from Thinning and Intensive Biomass Extraction in Medium-Aged Spruce and Pine Stands in Saxony, Northeast Germany

“…Based on the analysis of detrimental forest management practices (i.e., litter raking, fuelwood collection), the influence of biomass extraction on soil acidification was highlighted, because the uptake and storage of cations exceeds that of anions during tree growth and biomass buildup [40,41]. In order to mitigate the negative effects of intensive biomass extraction on the nutrient budget, the redistribution of wood ash is frequently discussed and has proven to be suitable to compensate for nutrient losses in forests, with the exception of N [13,[42][43][44][45], and was previously found to be applicable in the form of bark-ash-pellets at the study sites [14].…”

“…Also, if large parts of the harvesting residues are exported from the site, there will be fewer habitats for decomposer fauna and flora and less input material to refill the site-specific humus stock [11,12]. The nutrient issue could be attenuated by returning nutrients into the forests from sources such as wood ash from biomass combustion facilities [13][14][15][16]. Implementing wood ash recycling systems into practice would require thorough knowledge regarding the actual amounts of nutrients removed in management scenarios of various intensity [14].…”

“…The nutrient issue could be attenuated by returning nutrients into the forests from sources such as wood ash from biomass combustion facilities [13][14][15][16]. Implementing wood ash recycling systems into practice would require thorough knowledge regarding the actual amounts of nutrients removed in management scenarios of various intensity [14]. Additionally needed is an estimation of the available soil nutrient pool, which plays a major role in assessing the impact of harvest-induced nutrient losses on site productivity, and thus on management sustainability in terms of maintaining nutrient reserves.…”