Tree species experiment focused on biomass production – Growth, carbon sequestration and biodiveristy

Forestry can counteract an increase in greenhouse gases through its large capacity to store carbon and through the substitution of fossil fuels. There is potential to increase the availability of renewable raw materials through afforestation of former arable land. However, knowledge of the potential biomass production of different tree species is lacking.

This study will be based on a revision of a tree species experiment, 16 years after establishment on former agricultural land. The experimental series includes five locations in Sweden and each location includes spruce, birch, larch, hybrid aspen, poplar and Salix.

The purpose of the project is to compare biomass production, soil impact and carbon storage of different tree species under the same conditions and along a north-south gradient. We will also study the biodiversity of the ground vegetation. An important question is whether afforestation on agricultural land can contribute to increased carbon sequestration.