Identification of potential areas for biomass production in China: Discussion of a recent approach and future challenges

Mapping the Potential for Biofuel Production on Marginal Lands: Differences in Definitions, Data and Models across Scales

“…Another differentiating factor regarding land cover is the inclusion or exclusion of existing cropland. Both Schweers et al [34] and Cai et al [27] included cropland in their analysis, while the others did not.…”

“…Three other studies first mapped marginal land, and then mapped the potential suitability of that land for specific bioenergy species [26,33,37]. The eight studies that mapped for generic bioenergy species first mapped marginal lands, then employed land use constraints, or masks, where bioenergy crops should not be planted [27][28][29][30][31]34,36,45]. Finally, three studies first targeted marginal lands for generic bioenergy species based on multiple input criteria, but employed no land cover constraints [13,40,44].…”

“…Schweers et al [34] performed a national study in China examining the potential for general bioenergy production on degraded and abandoned land. They qualified that, "land degradation is a long-term loss of ecosystem function and services, not least production, caused by disturbances from which the system cannot recover unaided".…”

“…Topography (particularly slope) was the third most considered factor, with more than half (14 of 21), of the studies using slope as an input criterion defining land marginality. Primarily slopes too steep for planting bioenergy crops were excluded, for example three studies mapping marginal land in China excluded slopes > 25% [26,34,35].…”

“…Pongam-perennial tree and Indian mustardoilseed crop (14) none none (2) 2011 Schweers et al [34] National (China)…”