

Biomass crops
Learn about the biomass crops miscanthus, willow and poplar and their potential to capture carbon
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Image source: Terravesta
Biomass crops have the potential to remove significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Combining the production of bioenergy, from biomass, with carbon capture and storage technologies (BECCS) could in turn achieve net reductions in emissions. For example, one study has shown the potential for miscanthus to absorb the equivalent of 26 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year, with 3.05 tonnes of CO2 captured in the roots and rhizomes, or net 2.35 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year after deducting emissions resulting from production and delivery of the biomass. Capturing and storing some of the carbon dioxide released when the biomass is burnt would further increase the net carbon capture.
Biomass crops links and information
Miscanthus
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Petra Kahle, Steffen Beuch, Barbara Boelcke, Peter Leinweber, Hans-Rolf Schulten. 2001. Cropping of Miscanthus in Central Europe: biomass production and influence on nutrients and soil organic matter. European Journal of Agronomy. Volume 15, Issue 3, Pages 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(01)00102-2