Abstract
The availability of land for biomass production has become a growing concern worldwide. Principles of sustainability indicate that the bioenergy chain, from biomass production to bioenergy end-uses, should be locally addressed. Thus, regardless of the possibilities that the international biomass trade could offer, each country should assess the size of the land resource that might be available for biomass production in order to establish realistic national targets for bioenergy. This work addresses two key challenges for bioenergy implementation: (i) ‘Do we have land available to accommodate future biomass production?, (ii) ‘What would be the choice of energy crops from the knowledge gained in field experiments?’. Focusing on Spain, an analysis of the evolution of land use is made and changes occurred in the last years are discussed to assess the size of land resource for bioenergy. Subsequently, the suitability of a selection of lignocellulosic energy crops is studied with a view to the potential available lands.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
AEBIOM (2015) AEBIOM statistical report 2015. European Bioenergy Outlook. European Biomass Association
AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología-Meteorological Agency of Spain) (2012) Climatic data of Spain. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain. www.aemet.es
AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología-Meteorological Agency of Spain) (2014) Climatic monthly summaries 2013–2014. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain. Available at: http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/vigilancia_clima/resumenes?w=0&datos=0. Accessed 29 May 2016
ADEME (Agence de l’environment et de la maítrise de l’energie) (1998) Phalaris. 4 pp.
AGAPA (Agencia de Gestión Agraria y Pesquera de Andalucía) (2012) Ensayos con cultivos energéticos. Periodo 2005–2010. Síntesis de resultados y principales conclusiones. Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Ambiente. Junta de Andalucía. 88p
Allen B, Kretschmer B, Baldock, D, Menadue H, Nanni S, Tucker G (2014) Space for energy crops – assessing the potential contribution to Europe’s energy future. Report produced for BirdLife Europe, European Environmental Bureau and Transport & Environment. IEEP, London. Available at: http://www.eeb.org/EEB/?LinkServID=F6E6DA60-5056-B741-DBD250D05D441B53. Accessed 16 May 2016
Andersson B, Lindvall E (2002) Development of reed canarygrass varieties for bioenergy production. 12th European on biomass for energy, industry and climate protection, 17–21 June 2002, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Vol. I pp. 202–203
ANTHOS (2012–2016) Sistema de Información sobre las plantas en España. Fundación Biodiversidad-Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente & Real Jardín Botánico – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. www.anthos.es
Aylott M, McDermott F (2012) Domestic Energy Crops; Potential and Constraints Review. Project Number: 12–021. NNFCC report. 27 pp. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48342/5138-domestic-energy-crops-potential-and-constraints-r.PDF. Accessed 12 June 2016
Baldelli C (1996) Robinia SRF exploitation and conversion: the last researchers. 9th European bioenergy conference. Biomass for energy and the environment, 24–27 Jun 1996, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 686–690
Bao M, Rodríguez JL, Crespo I, Lamas J (1996) Miscanthus plantations in Galicia N.W. of Spain. Results and experience over the last three years. Proceedings of the 9th EUropean Conference on Biomass, pp. 608–612
Cañellas I, Huelin P, Hernández MJ, Ciria P, Calvo R, Gea-Izquierdo G, Sixto H (2012) The effect of density on short rotation Populus sp. plantations in the Mediterranean area. Biomass Bioenergy 46:645–652
Carrasco J, Del Val MA, Maletta E, Pérez P, Pérez J, Ciria P (2014) Cultivos herbáceos anuales para producción de biocarburantes en España en el marco del proyecto singular estratégico ON-CULTIVOS. Colección documentos CIEMAT. Editorial Ciemat, Madrid, 2014, 111 pp. ISBN: 978–84–7834-727-8. NIPO: 721–14–057-1
Ceulemans R, McDonald AJS, Pereira JS (1996) A comparison among eucalypt, poplar and willow characteristics with particular reference to a coppice, growth-modelling approach. Biomass Bioenergy 11(2/3):215–231
Christou M, Mardikis M, Alexopoulou E (2000) Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) network. Improvement, productivity and biomass quality. Proceedings of the 1st World Conference on Biomass for Energy and Industry, Seville, Spain, 5–9 June 2000. ETA-Florence, pp. 1803–1806
Ciria P (2009) El chopo como cultivo energético. Hoja divulgadora n° 2131 HD. MARM
Ciria P, Ciria CS, Maletta E, Pérez J, Barro R, Carrasco J (2015a) Varietal response of Elytrigia elongata under semiarid conditions in Spain: Establishment. Proceedings of the 23rd EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 139–146. ISBN: 978-88-89407-516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CV.1.8
Ciria P, Maletta E, del Val MA, Pérez J, Pérez P, Carrasco J (2015b) Cultivos herbáceos anuales para producción de biomasa en España en el marco del Proyecto Singular Estratégico On-cultivos. Colección Documentos Ciemat. ISBN 9788478347322, 116 p
CNE (2013) Informe anual sobre el uso de biocarburantes correspondiente al ejercicio 2011. Comisión Nacional de Energía, 28 de febrero de 2013, 106 pp. Available at: http://energia.cnmc.es/cne/doc/publicaciones/PA012_11.pdf
Cosentino SL, Scordia D, Sanzone E, Testa G, Copani V (2014) Response of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) to nitrogen fertilization and soil water availability in semi-arid Mediterranean environment. Eur J Agron 60:22–32
Curt MD (2009a) El cultivo de la caña para producción de biomasa. Hoja Divulgadora núm. 2129 HD. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, I24 pp. ISBN: 978-84-491-0891-4
Curt MD (2009b) Cultivo energético de switchgrass o panizo de pradera (Panicum virgatum L.). Hojas Divulgadoras, núm. 2134 HD. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino, 24 pp. ISBN: 978-84-491-0893-8
Curt MD, Fernández J, González J, Gil JL (2001) Comparative growth analysis of two sorghum cultivars in Badajoz (Spain). Proceedings of the 1st World Conference on Biomass for Energy and Industry. Vol II, pp. 1877–1880. ISBN: 1-902916-15-8
Curt MD, Mosquera F, Sanz M, Sánchez J, Sánchez G, Esteban B, Fernández J (2012) Effect of land slope on biomass production of Cynara cardunculus L. Proceedings of the 20th EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 186–190. ISBN 978-88-89407-54-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1CO.6.3
Curt MD, Sanz M, Esteban B, Sánchez G, Barreiro M, Fernández J(2011) Assessment of commercial varieties of sorghum as short cycle crops for biomass and sugars production. Proceedings of the 19TH EU biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 157–163, ISBN 978-88-89407-55-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OC1.3
Dalianis CD, El Bassam N (2010) Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) In: Handbook of bioenergy crops, pp. 193–199. Earthscan. ISBN: 978-1-84407-854-7
Dauber J, Brown C, Fernando AF, Finnan J, Krasuska E, Ponitka J, Styles D, Thrän D, Van Groeningen KJ, Weih M, Zah R (2012) Bioenergy from “surplus” lands: environmental and socio-economic implications. BioRisk 7:5–50
Djomo SN, AAc Z, de Groote T, Bergante S, Facciotto G, Sixto H, Ciria P, Weger J, Ceulemans R (2015) Energy performances of intensive and extensive short rotation cropping systems for woody biomass production in the EU. Renew Sust Energ Rev 41:845–854
Dulamsurena C, Haucka M, Nyambayar S, Bader M, Osokhjargal D, Oyungerel S, Leuschner C (2009) Performance of Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) on steppe slopes of the northern Mongolian mountain taiga: drought stress and herbivory in mature trees. Environ Exp Bot 66(2009):18–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2008.12.020
EcoCrop (2013) Ecocrop database (http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home). FAO, Rome, Italy
EEA (European Environment Agency) (2016) Corine land cover 2012. V.18.5. ESRI Geodatabase. Available at: http://land.copernicus.eu/pan-european/corine-land-cover
El Bassam N (2010) Handbook of bioenergy crops. Earthscan. 516 pp. ISBN: 978-1-84407-854-7
Elbersen HW (Coordinator) (2002). Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as an alternative energy crop in Europe. Initiation of a productivity network. Final Report for the period 1/04/1998-30/09/2001. EU Project FAIR 5-CT97–3701
ENCE (2013) Activity Report. Available on the internet at: https://www.ence.es/images/pdf/memoria%20ence%202013_BAJA%20ING-0807943.pdf
Estel S, Kuemmerle T, Alcántara C, Levers C, Prishchepov A, Hostert P (2015) Mapping farmland abandonment and recultivation across Europe using MODIS NDVI time series. Remote Sens Environ 163:312–325
European Commission (2010) Rural Development in the European Union. Statistical and Economic Information. Report 2010. DG AGRI, Brussels
European Parliament (2009) Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC. Off J Eur Union. 5 June 2009
European Parliament (2013) EU 1307/2013: Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing. Counc Off J Eur Union, pp. 608–670
European Parliament (2015) Directive 2015/1513 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. Off J Eur Union. 15 Sept 2015
EUROSTAT - Statistical Office of the European Union (2015) Land cover, land use and landscape. Data extracted in March 2015. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lucas/publications. Accessed on 13 April 2016
Facciotto G, Di Candilo M, Bergante S, Baratto G, Diozzi M (2008) Willow clones' for biomass production in SRC plantations. 16th European Biomass conference & Exhibition, pp. 611–613
FAO (1996) Agro-ecological zoning. Guidelines. FAO Soils Bulletin. p. 73
FAO (2014) FAOSTAT, Methods & standards. http://faostat3.fao.org/mes/glossary/E. Accessed 16 May 2016
FAO/IIASA/ISRIC/ISS-CAS/JRC (2008) Harmonized World Soil Database (version 1.0). FAO, Rome, Italy and IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/nr/documents/HWSD/HWSD_Documentation.pdf
Fernández J (2009) El cultivo del cardo para producción de biomasa. Hoja divulgadora n° 2130 HD. MARM (2009)
Fernández J, Curt MD, Aguado PL (2006) Industrial applications of Cynara cardunculus L. for energy and other uses. Ind Crop Prod 24(3):222–229
Fernández J, Iriarte L, Sanz M, Curt MD (2009). Preliminary study of Siberian elm as an energy crop in a continental-Mediterranean climate. Proceedings of the 17TH EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 148–153. ISBN 978-88-89407-57-3
Geyer WA (1991) Coppice response to cut stump height of three hardwood tree species. In: Grassi G, Colina A, Zibetta H (eds) Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Biomass for Energy, Industry and Environment. 21–27 Abril, Atenas (Grecia), pp. 207–211
Geyer WA, Argent RM, Walanwender WP (1987) Biomass properties and gasification behaviour of 7-year-old Siberian elm. Wood Fiber Sci 19(2):176–182
Gominho J, Lourenco A, Palma P, Lourenco ME, Curt MD, Fernández J, Pereira H (2011) Large scale cultivation of Cynara cardunculus L. for biomass production. A case study. Ind Crop Prod 33:1–6
Habayarimana E, Bonardi P, Laureti D, Di Bari V, Cosentino S, Lorenzoni C (2004) Multilocal evaluation of biomass sorghum hybrids under two stand densitites and variable water supply in Italy. Ind Crop Prod 20(1):3–9
Hart K, Allen B, Lindner M, Keenleyside C, Burgess P, Eggers J, Buckwell A (2013) Land as an Environmental Resource, Report Prepared for DG Environment, Contract No ENV.B.1/ETU/2011/0029, Institute for European Environmental Policy, London
Hastings A, Clifton-Brown JC, Wattenbach M, Mitchell CP, Stampfl P, Smith P (2009) Future energy potential of Miscanthus in Europe. Glob Change Biol Bioenergy 1:180–196
IIASA/FAO (2012) Global Agro-ecological Zones (GAEZ v3.0). IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria and FAO, Rome, Italy
Iriarte L (2008) Caracterización del olmo de Siberia (Ulmus pumila L.) como cultivo energético. PhD Thesis. Technical University of Madrid, Spain
JRC -Joint Research Centre (2010) Map of Soil pH in Europe. Land Management and Natural Hazards Unit, Institute for Environment & Sustainability, European Commission
Keenleyside C, Tucker GM (2010) Farmland abandonment in the EU: an assessment of trends and prospects. Report prepared for WWF. Institute for European Environmental Policy, London. Available at: http://www.ieep.eu/assets/733/Farmland_abandonment_in_the_EU_-_assessment_of_trends_and_prospects_-_FINAL_15-11-2010_.pdf. Accessed 02 June 2016
Lavalle C, Baranzelli C, Mubareka S, Rocha C, Hiederer R, Batista F, Estreguil C (2011). Implementation of the CAP Policy Options with the Land Use Modelling Platform. A first indicator-based analysis. Institute for Environment & Sustainability, European Commission DG Joint Research Centre. Scientific and Technical Reports. EUR 24909. 130 pp. ISBN 978-92-79-20917-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.2788/45131
Lewandowski I, Scurlock JMO, Lindvall E, Christou M (2003) The development and current status of perennial rhizomatous grasses as energy crops in the US and Europe. Biomass Bioenergy 25:335–361
López G, Ruiz F (2011) Cultivos energéticos y biomasa forestal. ENCE. Jornadas Bosques en Cambio: pasado y futuro. Huelva, 24 octubre 2011
MAGRAMA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente) - Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain (2015) Anuario de Estadística- Annual Agricultural Statistics (AAS) 1998–2013. España. Available at: http://www.magrama.gob.es/es/estadistica/temas/publicaciones/anuario-de-estadistica/. Accessed 03 Feb 2016
MAGRAMA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente) - Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain (2016a) Libro Digital del Agua: Servicios Hídricos, Precipitación. Available at: http://servicios2.marm.es/sia/visualizacion/lda/recursos/climatologia_precipitacion.jsp. Accessed 20 July 2016
MAGRAMA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente) (2016b) Encuesta sobre superficies y rendimientos de cultivos. ESYRCE. N.I.P.O.: 280-15-015-2
Maletta E, Carrasco J, Del Val MA, Pérez J, Ciria CS, Ciria P (2016) Cultivos herbáceos perennes para la producción de biomasa en España. Colección Documentos Ciemat
McLaughlin SB, Kszos LA (2005) Development of swithgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a bioenergy feedstock in the United States. Biomass Bioenergy 28:515–535
Meehan TD, Gratton C, Diehl E, Hunt ND, Mooney DF, Ventura SJ et al (2013) Ecosystem-service tradeoffs associated with switching from annual to perennial energy crops in riparian zones of the US Midwest. PLoS One 8(11):e80093. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080093
Montoya JM (1988) Chopos y choperas. Ed. Mundi-Prensa. Madrid
Montoya JM (1995) El Eucalipto. Ed. Mundi-Prensa. 125 pp.
Montoya JM, Mesón M (2004) Selvicultura. Ed. Mundi-Prensa. Tomo I
Olovyannikova IN (1990) Growth or the coppice regeneration of Siberian elm on soils of the alkali complex in the Caspian region. Sov For Sci 3:18–26
Panagos P (2006) The European soil database. GEO: connexion 5(7):32–33
Panagos P, Van Liedekerke M, Jones A, Montanarella L (2012) European soil data centre: response to European policy support and public data requirements. Land Use Policy 29(2):329–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.003
Pereira H, Pereira JS, Madeira M, Araujo C, Almeida H, Leal LC, Chaves M, Fabiao A (1990). Optimization of biomass production in short rotation Eucalyptus globulus plantations. Commission of the European Communities. Final Report. EUR 12718 EN (1990), 34 pp.
Pérez I (2016) Evaluación de Ulmus pumila y Populus spp. como cultivos energéticos en corta rotación. PhD Thesis. Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Pérez I, Ciria P, Bergante S, Pérez J, Carrasco J, Rosso L, Facciotto G (2012) Biomass production of Siberian elm at the end of the second vegetative period in Spain and Italy. Proceedings of the 20th EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 402–408. ISBN: 978-88-89407-54-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1CV.3.8
Pérez I, Pérez J, Carrasco J, Ciria P (2011) Ulmus pumila under irrigated and rain-fed continental conditions in the first year of growth. Proceedings of the 19th EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 765–769. ISBN: 978-88-89407-55-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.75
Pérez I, Pérez J, Carrasco J, Ciria P (2014) Siberian elm responses to different culture conditions under short rotation forestry in Mediterranean areas. Turk J Agric For 38:652–662
Piquero N, Curt MD, Fernández J (2011) Performance of five close relatives of wheatgrass grown for biomass in a small scale experiment. Proceedings of the 19TH EU Biomass Conference, pp. 623–628. ISBN 978-88-89407-55-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.26
Qingguo X, El Bassam N (2010) Miscanthus (Miscanthus spp.). In: Handbook of bioenergy crops, pp. 240–251. Earthscan. ISBN: 978-1-84407-854-7
Raggi M, Sardonini L, Viaggi D (2013) The effects of the common agricultural policy on exit strategies and land re-allocation. Land Use Policy 31:114–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.12.009
Renwick A, Jansson T, Verburg PH, Revoredo-Giha C, Britz W, Gocht A, McCracken D (2013) Policy reform and agricultural land abandonment in the EU. Land Use Policy 30:446–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.04.005
Robledo A, Correal E (2013). Cultivos energéticos de segunda generación para producción de biomasa lignocelulósica en tierras de cultivo marginales. Murcia: Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, 159 p. Available at: www.imida.es
Sánchez J, Curt MD, Fernández J (2016) Approach to the potential production of giant reed in surplus saline lands of Spain. Glob Change Biol Bioenergy., 14 pp 9:105. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12329
Sanz M, Curt MD, Plaza A, García-Müller M, Fernández J (2011a) Assessment of Siberian elm coppicing cycle. Proceedings of the 19th EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 601–605, ISBN 978-88-89407-55-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.18
Sanz M, Mosquera F, Sánchez G, Barreiro M, Aguado PL, Sánchez J, Curt MD, Fernández J (2011b). Biomass potential of triticale and rye in two different phenological stages and energy characterization. Proceedings of the 19th EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 591–595, ISBN 978-88-89407-55-7. doi:https://doi.org/10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.16
Sanz M, Sánchez J, Mosquera F, Curt MD, Fernández J (2015) Influence of planting season on Siberian elm yield and economic prospects. Proceedings of the 23rd EU Biomass Conference and Exhibition, pp. 198–204. 978-88-89407-516. doi: https://doi.org/10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CV.1.38
Sauer J, Davidova S, Latruffe L (2012) Determinants of smallholders’ decisions to leave land fallow: the case of Kosovo. J Agric Econ 63:119–141. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2011.00321.x
Sixto H, Hernández MJ, Ciria MP, Carrasco J, Cañellas I (2010) Manual de cultivo de Populus spp. para la producción de biomasa con fines energéticos. INIA. ISBN: 978-84-7498-530-6, 57 pp.
Sixto H, Hernández MJ, de Miguel J, Cañellas I (2013) Red de parcelas de cultivos leñosos en alta densidad y turno corto. INIA. ISBN 978-84-7498-559-7, 31 pp.
Terres JM, Nisini L, Anguiano E (2013) Assessing the risk of farmland abandonment in the EU. Institute for Environment & Sustainability, European Commission DG Joint Research Centre. Scientific and Policy Reports. EUR 25783 EN, 132 pp. ISBN 978-92-79-28281-2. doi: https://doi.org/10.2788/81337
Toth G (2008) Map of Saline and Sodic Soils in the EU. Land Management and Natural Hazards Unit, Institute for Environment & Sustainability, European Commission DG Joint Research Centre
USDA, NRCS (2016) The Plants Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 19 March 2016). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA
Utrilla V, Sturzenbaum MV, Rivera EH (2007) Evaluación de agropiros de origen canadiense y nacional en EA. Punta Loyola. INTA. EEA Santa Cruz. Macro región Patagonia sur. AER Río Gallegos. Argentina
Van Liedekerke M, Jones A, Panagos P (2006) ESDBv2 Raster Library – a set of rasters derived from the European Soil Database distribution v2.0 (published by the European Commission and the European Soil Bureau Network, CD-ROM, EUR 19945 EN)
Venendaal R, Jorgensen U, Fosters CA (1997) European energy crops: a synthesis. Biomass and Bioenergy 13(3):147–185
Walsh M, Jones MB (2000) Miscanthus for energy and fibre. Pub. Earthscan. ISBN 9781902916071, 202 p
WBA (World Bioenergy Association) (2014) WBA Global Bioenergy Statistics 2014, 39 pp.
Welfle A, Gilbert P, Thornley P (2014a) Securing a bioenergy future without imports. Energy Policy 68:1–14
Welfle A, Gilbert P, Thornley P (2014b) Increasing biomass resource availability through supply chain analysis. Biomass Bioenergy 70:249–266
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sánchez, J., Aguado, P.L., Curt, M.D., Fernández, J. (2018). Trends in Land Use in Spain and their Meaning to Bioenergy Production. In: Li, R., Monti, A. (eds) Land Allocation for Biomass Crops. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74536-7_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74536-7_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74535-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74536-7
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)