Biomass for energy and ecological agriculture

The purpose of this project is to describe and assess the conflict between the wish for a better use of biomass for energy and the doubts of the ecological farmers regarding an increase in the removal of organic materials from the fields and forests. The principles of ecological agriculture and the misgivings about using biomass for energy are described and empirical results and models for the influence of carbon and nutrients on the fertility of the soil is reported. The significance of ploughing-in straw, the choice and rotation of crops, and using livestock manures is described. It is assessed whether ecological agriculture can produce a surplus of straw, which could possibly be used for producing energy. Conditions for using energy crops and the significance of the removal of trees from the forest ecosystem is also described. (AB) 75 refs