Assessment of carbon balance in intensive and extensive tree cultivation systems for oak, olive, poplar and walnut plantation. (20th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Proietti, Primo; Sdringola, Paolo; Brunori, Antonio; Ilarioni, Luana; Nasini, Luigi; Regni, Luca; Pelleri, Francesco; Desideri, Umberto; Proietti, Stefania
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 112:Part 4(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 2613
• Page End: 2624
• Publication Date: 2016-01-20
• Subjects: Tree cultivation systems -- Carbon stock -- Life Cycle Assessment -- CO2 sequestration; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: To reduce GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions, the Kyoto Protocol identifies a number of activities that are closely related to land use, included in the category called Agriculture, Forestry and Land Uses (AFOLU). While forests and agricultural systems result in CO2 absorptions (live biomass, dead biomass and soil), every process undertaken for their management requires energy and resources, which can lead to a significant reduction of the environmental benefits. The study analyzes three tree plantations managed at different cultivation intensities in Italy, from an extensively managed plantation (a pure oak plantation) and a semi-intensively managed plantation (walnut and poplar plantation with nurse plants), to an intensively managed olive grove. Permanent and non-permanent biomass were accounted for in order to get the carbon stock of every plantation, estimated at the same age of 14 years old. The numerous processes operated for management of different cultivated species, e.g. planting, soil management, fertilization, phytosanitary treatments, pruning, harvesting, etc. were monitored and their impacts were quantified by applying the methodology known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Removals (carbon sequestrations) were compared to emissions on a time scale, in order to assess the net CO2-eq balance. Impacting treatments and processes were identified and further analysis on the individual phases and materials were conducted. Olive trees showed an unexpected capacity to store CO2-eq, but this ability was evident only if annually harvested fruits and prunings were considered in the calculation. The plantation that demonstrated its ability to store most CO2-eq at the age of 14 was the semi-intensively managed plantation, showing a higher efficiency in the energy spent by man. The paper offers a contribution for an innovative environmental performance evaluation of different tree cultivation management systems, including the assessment of potential benefits in terms of sequestered CO2-eq for the studied tree plantations and possible avoided emissions thanks to sustainable agricultural practices. Highlights: 3 tree plantations managed in Italy at different cultivation intensity were studied. 14 years old plantations were compared in terms of net CO2-eq and CO2 stock. Walnut and poplar plantation shows high CO2 sequestration and C stock efficiency. Olive tree shows ability to store CO2, if fruits and pruning C stock is considered. CO2 sequestration of Umbria olive grove contribute to 10% emission regional allowances.