Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NF0408 | |
| Title | Poplars - a multiple use crop for surplus arable land | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Applications for heat and electricity) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 50%; BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 75%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation) 25%; |
|
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given ADAS UK Ltd |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | DEFRA | |
| Start Date | 01 March 1999 | |
| End Date | 28 February 2002 | |
| Duration | 36 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £135,595 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | DEFRA Bioenergy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , ADAS UK Ltd (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | 1. To examine levels of demand for poplar products and identify likely future trends. 2. To determine the potential for widespread production of poplars on agricultural land, in the light of current economic and political factors and under a reformed CAP. 3. To determine the impacts of poplar production in agricultural areas on soils, water, biodiversity and landscapes. 4. To identify ‘key areas’ for poplar production, using GIS software. 5. To assess the attitudes of farmers and the general public to a potential increase in poplar planting on farmland. 6. To produce revised recommendations for poplar production on arable or mixed farms. 7. To review methodologies used for ecological monitoring in short rotation poplar and willow, and other biomass crops, and to recommend standardised methods for future projects. | |
| Abstract | Agricultural over-production in Europe has resulted in large areas of farmland being no longer required for food crops. Set-aside has been the main mechanism for controlling arable crop surpluses, but non-food crop option include energy crops and forestry. Modern, fast-growing popular hybrids are very well suited to production on ex-arable land in southern Britain, and offer a wide range of potential uses – including fuel for heat or electricity, fibre for paper or fibreboard, pallets, food crates and furniture veneers. Crop rotations are shorter for poplars than for other forest tree species – one factor allowing easier integration with existing farm enterprises. Various studies have suggested that poplars compare very favourably with most alternative non-food crops. MAFF funding is sought to support ADAS input into a major European project – poplars – a multiple-use crop for European arable farmers’ This project, which has already been granted 50% funding from the European Commission (FAIR6-CT98-4193), will examine current levels of demand for various popular wood products sand identify likely future market trends; determine the potential for widespread production of poplars as a non-food crop for surplus agricultural land, in the light of current economic and political factors and under a reformed CAP (as proposed by Agenda 2000); determine the probable environmental impact of large-scale popular production inagricultural areas; identify ‘key areas’ for poplar production, using GIS software; using GIS software; assess the attitudes of farmers and the general public to a potential increase poplar planting on farmland; and production revised recommendations for poplar production on arable or mixed farms. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 06/12/11 | |
