Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Constant increases in oil prices, greenhouse gas emissions, and concerns about energy import dependence are shifting focus towards renewable resources. In 2009 the European parliament and the council of the European Union have published the directive in which is stated that the mandatory national targets should consist of 20% share of energy from renewable sources and 10% energy from renewable sources in transport in all Member States by the year 2020 (Directive 2009/28/EC).
Bioenergy, production of timber and pulp, possibility to use forests for recreation, water quality, availability of mushrooms, berries and game (non-tree forest products) quality and capacity to contribute to a positive carbon balance are all essential parts of forestry in Sweden (Gustafsson 2009). In the light of changes that are currently affecting forest sector in Europe, Sweden has to face various challenges in order to maintain sustainability of its forest sector.
The main objectives of this study are to produce and analyse two contrasting scenarios as regards overarching policy directions: a biodiversity scenario, exploring the impacts on Swedish forest resources when biodiversity is prioritized in forest management, and wood energy scenario, simulating forest development when the main objective of forest management is to maximize woody biomass production. The results indicate that, depending on the objective, different trade-offs would be necessary.