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Abstract:

<p>Woodfuels currently supply 7 percent of worldwide energy use and are much more important in developing than developed countries. Worldwide fuelwood use may be slowly declining, while charcoal production is increasing. In developing countries, woodfuel comes from natural forests, woodlands, shrublands, plantations and trees outside forests; the last is often the most important source. In developed countries, woodfuels are largely from industrial roundwood processing where up to 50 percent of logs may be used for energy. In urban areas, of both developing and developed countries, woodfuels also arises from wood processing and construction and other urban residues including tree trimming. Currently, apart from some nonindustrial plantations and the small areas of energy plantations, woodfuel largely results from by-products and residues. Forest plantation may currently provide 15 to 20 percent of all fuelwood and this contribution will rise due to continued tree planting plus the rapidly increasing industrial plantation harvest. However, forest and woodfuel-use data are of uneven quality, making estimates tenuous. There is potential to increase the amount of woodfuels in developed countries but its use will depend on fossil fuel price increases, and on ecological and social issues. In Nordic countries, forest residue use has grown, being underpinned by carbon taxes and research and development. Site nutrient conservation is assisted by leaving foliage on site and by returning the ash after burning. Leaving bark on site may be important for eucalypts. In developing countries participatory programmes are critical for encouraging tree planting. Farmers seldom plant for fuelwood alone. Large-scale fuelwood plantations programs have not always been successful. Agroforestry practices are often practiced as they provide multiple benefits, including the provision of woodfuel. Silviculture should be readily adoptable, with special attention being given to species selection, high-quality planting stock, establishment methods and protection from animals. Because of woodfuel's low relative value, energy is seldom a management objective of industrial plantations. However, often silviculture could be altered to increase bioenergy output, particularly with those sawlog regimes based on low stockings and non-extraction thinnings, and through more intensive silviculture. As a supplement to current silvicultural decision-making tools, energy analysis of silvicultural options would assist in efficient allocation of fossil fuels.</p>

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<p>[1]doi:10.1080/07352680500316391</p>

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