Forest Biomass

So what exactly is forest biomass? Forest biomass has been introduced into the market as a source of renewable energy and is thought to replace the harmful side effects of fossil fuels. Biomass is a material originating from living, or recently living organisms, including plants, vegetables and animals. It has received a lot of attention because it cuts down on the emission of dangerous fuels and works to restore habitats and degraded woodlands. Currently, forest biomass is the central focus on the climate and energy legislation moving through Congress. Policymakers are discussing the impact biomass could potentially have on biodiversity, forest productivity, forest landowners and the forest product industry worldwide.

Biomass is carbon based but also includes a mixture of organic molecules, which is composed of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and small quantities of other atoms, including alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metal. Although forest biomass can originate from plants, vegetables and animals, it is most commonly absorbed through plants. The carbon used to create biomass is absorbed from the environment as carbon dioxide by plant life, which uses energy from the sun.

The forest industry and forest landowners have the potential to advance biomass production quickly by providing biomass fuel and infrastructure to mills that generate industrial heat, electricity, wood pellets and transportation fuels. In fact, the 2005 “billion ton study” by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that through the use of forest biomass, American forests have the potential to produce 368 million dry tons of woody biomass annually. However, this number is not widely accepted because the accurate count of forest acreage can be interrupted by a number of factors, such as environmental regulations and conservation efforts. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are in the process of re-conducting the study.

Innovative technologies that convert forest biomass into bio-alcohol, synthetic gasoline and diesel fuel are not ready for prime time yet, but are actively being developed. Hopefully this will mean the ability to use renewable resources in many more capacities than we’re currently able. Will cars eventually run on “green” gasoline? It has yet to be seen in a truly viable way. Until that happens, you can now join an eco-friendly autoclub for roadside assistance, travel planning and free auto insurance quotes.

Regardless of the conclusion, woody biomass creates opportunities for social, ecological and economic improvements because it produces bio-energy and thus, a full range of bio-based products, including lumber, paper and composites. As national policy and global markets increase their demand for woody biomass, prices continue to rise and benefit forest landowners by improving their bottom line for sustainable forest management. However, it’s important to note the bigger the demand of woody biomass, the increased cost of biomass for existing users. Additionally, some in the forest industry are concerned that the increased demand will put energy producers in direct competition with the forest product industry for pulpwood, residues or drive wood harvesting, which has the potential to produce unsustainable levels.

On the other hand, allowing the creation of a new market of woody biomass will provide companies with an incentive to manage a forest’s sustainability, in order to guarantee future supplies. This type of trend has the possibility to increase industry investments in forest regeneration because the opening of new markets for sustainable forestry will be highly valuable as other markets, including the paper market, potentially face a long-term decline. What’s more, the cost of other renewable energies, such as wind, solar, geothermal and water technologies continue a downward spiral as well.