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The pattern of change in carbon (C) accumulation with forest ageing can vary greatly amongst different forest types. Documenting how C accumulates in various forest ecosystems in the absence of logging makes it possible to predict what would be the outcome of extending forest rotations or in dedicating more land to conservation on C storage. This study was conducted in boreal balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests of Quebec, in eastern Canada. We compared carbon stocks in forest pools (aboveground (live) biomass, deadwood, FH horizon and mineral soil) of mature (70 years after harvest) vs old-growth stands (stands with no signs or history of human disturbance). Total ecosystem C stocks were not significantly different between mature and old-growth stands. However, as mature stands transition to old-growth stage, there appears to be a shift of C from live biomass pools towards deadwood and soil FH horizons. Coarse woody debris in old-growth stands were also found to be at more advanced stages of decay. The variability of C stocks was also high amongst old-growth stands; however, there was no obvious difference in structural diversity between mature and old-growth stands. Results suggest that ageing balsam fir stands through the lengthening of forest rotations (e.g. past the maturity age of 70 years) or by placing them under conservation, while not creating an important C sink, still contributes to maintain large forest C stocks across landscapes. Preserving or increasing the presence of old-growth forests is an important aspect of ecosystem-based forest management; our study concludes that it could also be compatible with sustainable forest carbon management.
Antoine Harel; Evelyne Thiffault; David Paré. Ageing forests and carbon storage: a case study in boreal balsam fir stands. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAntoine Harel, Evelyne Thiffault, David Paré. Ageing forests and carbon storage: a case study in boreal balsam fir stands. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntoine Harel; Evelyne Thiffault; David Paré. 2021. "Ageing forests and carbon storage: a case study in boreal balsam fir stands." Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research , no. : 1.
Unharvested hardwoods are abundant in eastern Canada, due to the low quality of their fiber and the absence of outlets in conventional wood transformation industries. The objective of this study was to assess the biochemical and thermochemical energy conversion potential of decaying hardwoods and compare their relationships with external and internal indicators of tree degradation. We characterized how wood-decay processes altered the physical and chemical properties of these woods and affected their digestibility yield and their performance according to indexes of stability and efficiency of combustion. DNA analysis on wood samples was also performed to determine the relative abundance of white-rot fungi compared to that of other saprotrophs. All properties stayed within the range of variations allowing the wood to remain suitable for conversion into bioenergy, even with increased decay. We found no significant differences in the physical and chemical properties that are crucial for energy production between wood from externally-assessed live and decayed trees. However, the proportion of wood area affected by rot was significantly associated with increased digestibility yield, and with decreased combustion reactivity. We could not detect any specific effect associated with increased relative abundance of white-rot fungi. These results suggest that the utilization of biomass from decayed hardwoods instead of live trees for bioenergy production should not alter the conversion efficiency and even potentially increase the performance of biochemical pathways, and hence, support their use as feedstock for bioenergy production.
Éloïse Dupuis; Evelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Kokou Adjallé; Christine Martineau. Bioenergy Conversion Potential of Decaying Hardwoods. Energies 2020, 14, 93 .
AMA StyleÉloïse Dupuis, Evelyne Thiffault, Julie Barrette, Kokou Adjallé, Christine Martineau. Bioenergy Conversion Potential of Decaying Hardwoods. Energies. 2020; 14 (1):93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÉloïse Dupuis; Evelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Kokou Adjallé; Christine Martineau. 2020. "Bioenergy Conversion Potential of Decaying Hardwoods." Energies 14, no. 1: 93.
Natural disturbances are common in Canadian boreal managed forests. For example, during and after insect epidemics, foresters must deal with significant amounts of degraded or dead wood that cannot be processed into sawn timber or pulp. Bioenergy could be an alternative pathway for this wood. A case study in Quebec (Canada) was used to evaluate the profitability of pellet production for bioenergy using degraded trees from insect epidemics. A bioenergy scenario was simulated in which degraded trees were harvested for bioenergy alongside sound wood for timber and pulp. This scenario was compared to a reference scenario in which degraded trees were left on cutovers. Using wood pellets as a case study, the results showed that at current market prices, harvesting degraded trees for pellet production is not as profitable as leaving them in the forest. Nevertheless, the overall forest operations for procuring wood for timber and pulp were still profitable, even with very high degradation levels. Procuring degraded trees reduced the overall fixed costs per harvested m3 and allowed average savings of C$2.83/harvested m3. The silvicultural savings associated with lower site preparation needs following procurement of degraded trees ranged from C$0/ha to C$500/ha, resulting in average savings of C$2.31/harvested m3. Depending on the stand conditions, the distribution of fixed costs and silvicultural savings of biomass procurement could be either low or significant.
Mathieu Béland; Evelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Warren Mabee. Degraded Trees from Spruce Budworm Epidemics as Bioenergy Feedstock: A Profitability Analysis of Forest Operations. Energies 2020, 13, 4609 .
AMA StyleMathieu Béland, Evelyne Thiffault, Julie Barrette, Warren Mabee. Degraded Trees from Spruce Budworm Epidemics as Bioenergy Feedstock: A Profitability Analysis of Forest Operations. Energies. 2020; 13 (18):4609.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMathieu Béland; Evelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Warren Mabee. 2020. "Degraded Trees from Spruce Budworm Epidemics as Bioenergy Feedstock: A Profitability Analysis of Forest Operations." Energies 13, no. 18: 4609.
Abandoned unrestored mines are an important environmental issue since they typically remain unvegetated for decades, exposing vast amounts of mine waste to erosion. Several factors limit the revegetation of these sites, including extreme abiotic conditions and unfavorable biotic conditions. However, some pioneer tree species having high level of genetic diversity, such as balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), are able to naturally colonize these sites and initiate plant succession. This suggests that some tree genotypes are likely more suited for acclimation to the conditions of mine wastes. In this study, two contrasting mine waste storage facilities (waste rock versus tailings) from the Abitibi region of Quebec (Canada), on which poplars have grown naturally, were selected. First, we assessed in situ the impact of vegetation presence on each type of mine wastes. The presence of balsam poplars improved soil health locally by improving physicochemical properties (e.g. higher nutrient content and pH) of the mine wastes and causing an important shift in their bacterial and fungal community compositions, going from lithotrophic communities that dominate mine waste environments to heterotrophic communities involved in nutrient cycling. Next, in a greenhouse experiment, ten genotypes of P. balsamifera collected on both mine sites and from a natural forest nearby were grown in these mine wastes. Tree growth was monitored during two growing seasons, after which the effect of genotype-by-environment interactions was assessed by measuring the physicochemical properties of the substrates and the changes in microbial communities, using a metabarcoding approach. Although substrate type was identified as the main driver of rhizosphere microbiome diversity and community structure, a significant effect of tree genotype was also detected, particularly for bacterial communities. Plant genotype also influenced aboveground tree growth and the physicochemical properties of the substrates. These results highlight the influence of balsam poplar genotype on the soil environment and the potential importance of tree genotype selection in the context of mine waste revegetation.
Karelle Rheault; Denis Lachance; Marie-José Morency; évelyne Thiffault; Marie Guittonny; Nathalie Isabel; Christine Martineau; Armand Séguin. Plant Genotype Influences Physicochemical Properties of Substrate as well as Bacterial and Fungal Assemblages in the Rhizosphere of Balsam Poplar. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleKarelle Rheault, Denis Lachance, Marie-José Morency, évelyne Thiffault, Marie Guittonny, Nathalie Isabel, Christine Martineau, Armand Séguin. Plant Genotype Influences Physicochemical Properties of Substrate as well as Bacterial and Fungal Assemblages in the Rhizosphere of Balsam Poplar. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarelle Rheault; Denis Lachance; Marie-José Morency; évelyne Thiffault; Marie Guittonny; Nathalie Isabel; Christine Martineau; Armand Séguin. 2020. "Plant Genotype Influences Physicochemical Properties of Substrate as well as Bacterial and Fungal Assemblages in the Rhizosphere of Balsam Poplar." , no. : 1.
Research Highlights: This research provides an application of a model assessing the naturalness of the forest ecosystem to demonstrate its capacity to assess either the deterioration or the rehabilitation of the ecosystem through different forest management scenarios. Background and Objectives: The model allows the assessment of the quality of ecosystems at the landscape level based on the condition of the forest and the proportion of different forest management practices to precisely characterize a given strategy. The present work aims to: (1) verify the capacity of the Naturalness Assessment Model to perform bi-directional assessments, allowing not only the evaluation of the deterioration of naturalness characteristics, but also its improvement related to enhanced ecological management or restoration strategies; (2) identify forest management strategies prone to improving ecosystem quality; (3) analyze the model’s capacity to summarize the effect of different practices along a single alteration gradient. Materials and Methods: The Naturalness Assessment Model was adapted to the Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera forest of Quebec (Canada), and a naturalness assessment of two sectors with different historical management strategies was performed. Fictive forest management scenarios were evaluated using different mixes of forestry practices. The sensitivity of the reference data set used for the naturalness assessment has been evaluated by comparing the results using data from old management plans with those based on Quebec’s reference state registry. Results: The model makes it possible to identify forest management strategies capable of improving ecosystem quality compared to the current situation. The model’s most sensitive variables are regeneration process, dead wood, closed forest and cover type. Conclusions: In the Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera forest, scenarios with enhanced protection and inclusion of irregular shelterwood cuttings could play an important role in improving ecosystem quality. Conversely, scenarios with short rotation (50 years) could lead to further degradation of the ecosystem quality.
Sylvie Côté; Louis Bélanger; Robert Beauregard; Évelyne Thiffault; Manuele Margni. Naturalness Assessment of Forest Management Scenarios in Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera Forests. Forests 2020, 11, 601 .
AMA StyleSylvie Côté, Louis Bélanger, Robert Beauregard, Évelyne Thiffault, Manuele Margni. Naturalness Assessment of Forest Management Scenarios in Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera Forests. Forests. 2020; 11 (5):601.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSylvie Côté; Louis Bélanger; Robert Beauregard; Évelyne Thiffault; Manuele Margni. 2020. "Naturalness Assessment of Forest Management Scenarios in Abies balsamea–Betula papyrifera Forests." Forests 11, no. 5: 601.
Small-scale wood pellet producers often use a trial-and-error approach for determining adequate blending of available wood processing residues and pelletizing parameters. Developing general guidelines for optimizing wood pellet quality and meeting market standards would facilitate their market entry and profitability. Four types of hardwood residues, including green wood chips, dry shavings, and solid and engineered wood sawdust, were investigated to determine the optimum blends of feedstocks and pelletizing conditions to produce pellets with low friction force, high density and high mechanical strength. The feedstock properties reported in this study included particle size distribution, wood moisture content, bulk density, ash content, calorific values, hemicelluloses, lignin, cellulose, extractives, ash major and minor elements, and carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. All residues tested could potentially be used for wood pellet production. However, high concentrations of metals, such as aluminum, could restrict their use for accessing markets for high-quality pellets. Feedstock moisture content and composition (controlled by the proportions of the various residue sources within blends) were the most important parameters that determined pellet quality, with pelletizing process parameters having less overall influence. Residue blends with a moisture content of 9%–13.5% (dry basis), composed of 25%–50% of sawdust generated by sawing of wood pieces and a portion of green chips generated by trimming of green wood, when combined with a compressive force of 2000 N or more during pelletizing, provided optimum results in terms of minimizing friction and increasing pellet density and mechanical strength. Developing formal relationships between the type of process that generates residues, the properties of residues hence generated, and the quality of wood pellets can contribute to optimize pellet production methods.
Evelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Pierre Blanchet; Quy Nam Nguyen; Kokou Adjalle. Optimizing Quality of Wood Pellets Made of Hardwood Processing Residues. Forests 2019, 10, 607 .
AMA StyleEvelyne Thiffault, Julie Barrette, Pierre Blanchet, Quy Nam Nguyen, Kokou Adjalle. Optimizing Quality of Wood Pellets Made of Hardwood Processing Residues. Forests. 2019; 10 (7):607.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvelyne Thiffault; Julie Barrette; Pierre Blanchet; Quy Nam Nguyen; Kokou Adjalle. 2019. "Optimizing Quality of Wood Pellets Made of Hardwood Processing Residues." Forests 10, no. 7: 607.
Research Highlights: To inform eco-designers in green building conception, we propose a conceptual model for the assessment of the impact of using wood on the quality of ecosystems. Background and Objectives: The proposed model allows the assessment of the quality of ecosystems at the landscape level based on the condition of the forest and the proportion of different practices to characterize precisely the forest management strategy. The evaluation provides a numerical index, which corresponds to a suitable format to inform decision-making support tools, such as life cycle analysis. Materials and Methods: Based on the concept of naturalness, the methodology considers five naturalness characteristics (landscape context, forest composition, structure, dead wood, and regeneration process) and relies on forest inventory maps and data. An area within the boreal black spruce-feathermoss ecological domain of Quebec (Canada) was used as a case study for the development of the methodology, designed to be easily exportable. Results: In 2012, the test area had a near-natural class (naturalness index NI = 0.717). Simulation of different management strategies over 70 years shows that, considering 17.9% of strict protected areas, the naturalness index would have lost one to two classes of naturalness (out of five classes), depending on the strategy applied for the regeneration (0.206 ≤ ΔNI ≤ 0.413). Without the preservation of the protected areas, the management strategies would have further reduced the naturalness (0.274 ≤ ΔNI ≤ 0.492). Apart from exotic species plantation, the most sensitive variables are the percentage of area in irregular, old, and closed forests at time zero and the percentage of area in closed forests, late successional species groups, and modified wetlands after 70 years. Conclusions: Despite the necessity of further model and parameter validation, the use of the index makes it possible to combine the effects of different forestry management strategies and practices into one alteration gradient.
Sylvie Côté; Louis Bélanger; Robert Beauregard; Évelyne Thiffault; Manuele Margni. A Conceptual Model for Forest Naturalness Assessment and Application in Quebec’s Boreal Forest. Forests 2019, 10, 325 .
AMA StyleSylvie Côté, Louis Bélanger, Robert Beauregard, Évelyne Thiffault, Manuele Margni. A Conceptual Model for Forest Naturalness Assessment and Application in Quebec’s Boreal Forest. Forests. 2019; 10 (4):325.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSylvie Côté; Louis Bélanger; Robert Beauregard; Évelyne Thiffault; Manuele Margni. 2019. "A Conceptual Model for Forest Naturalness Assessment and Application in Quebec’s Boreal Forest." Forests 10, no. 4: 325.
Forest-based bioenergy plays an important role in climate mitigation for limiting global mean temperature increase to below 2 °C. The greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of three forest-based bioenergy systems from the USA, Canada and Spain supplying wood pellets for electricity in the UK were evaluated by conducting lifecycle assessments and forest carbon modelling of the three forest systems. Cumulative emissions were analysed by calculating the forest carbon stock change and net GHG emissions balance of the forest-based bioenergy electricity. The analysis considered both the replacement of the existing electricity mix with bioenergy electricity and forest management with and without bioenergy use. The supply chain emissions and forest carbon balances indicated that GHG emission reductions are possible. However, the cumulative net GHG balance at forest landscape scale revealed that the reduction potential is limited, potentially with no GHG reductions in fast growing forests with shorter rotations, while slow growing forest systems with longer rotations result in greater GHG reductions. This means that the maximum climate benefit is delivered at a different point in time for different forest systems. To evaluate the climate change mitigation potential of forest-based bioenergy it is therefore necessary to consider the management, utilisation and relevant counterfactual of the whole forest and its products. In terms of climate change mitigation potential and minimising possible negative impacts that would require multi-level governance.
Mirjam Röder; Evelyne Thiffault; Celia Martínez-Alonso; Fanny Senez-Gagnon; Laurence Paradis; Patricia Thornley. Understanding the timing and variation of greenhouse gas emissions of forest bioenergy systems. Biomass and Bioenergy 2019, 121, 99 -114.
AMA StyleMirjam Röder, Evelyne Thiffault, Celia Martínez-Alonso, Fanny Senez-Gagnon, Laurence Paradis, Patricia Thornley. Understanding the timing and variation of greenhouse gas emissions of forest bioenergy systems. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2019; 121 ():99-114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMirjam Röder; Evelyne Thiffault; Celia Martínez-Alonso; Fanny Senez-Gagnon; Laurence Paradis; Patricia Thornley. 2019. "Understanding the timing and variation of greenhouse gas emissions of forest bioenergy systems." Biomass and Bioenergy 121, no. : 99-114.
In Canada, the annual allowable cut (AAC) sets the harvest limit of roundwood and aims to maintain the long-term productive capacity of the forest while taking into account other values such as biodiversity and needs of stakeholders. Current harvest levels in the province of Quebec, which feed an industrial network dominated by the production of lumber, panels and pulp, average only 55% of the AAC, which may cause a gradual depletion of the forest resource if stands that have the highest value are preferably selected. In this context, using surplus forest growth consisting of low quality trees and less desirable stands as bioenergy feedstock could help improve both silvicultural practices and wood value chain profitability. The aim of this study was to identify biophysical and socio-economic factors that affect the proportion of the AAC that is harvested in Quebec's 74 management units. Results from the analysis of AAC and harvesting data for the period 2008–2013 showed the harvested proportion of the AAC was particularly low for hardwood species, with the proportions for poplar, birch and maple ranging between 19 and 38%. The distance to the nearest pulp or particle board mill was confirmed as the prime factor determining the harvest/AAC ratio for deciduous species. For softwoods, the presence of deciduous stands in a given region affected the harvest/AAC ratio. Low quality hardwoods could be used as an important source of feedstock for the bioenergy sector. Developing a synergy between conventional and bioenergy products could facilitate the application of sound silvicultural practices and increase profitability along the entire wood value chain.
Claude Durocher; Evelyne Thiffault; Alexis Achim; David Auty; Julie Barrette. Untapped volume of surplus forest growth as feedstock for bioenergy. Biomass and Bioenergy 2018, 120, 376 -386.
AMA StyleClaude Durocher, Evelyne Thiffault, Alexis Achim, David Auty, Julie Barrette. Untapped volume of surplus forest growth as feedstock for bioenergy. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2018; 120 ():376-386.
Chicago/Turabian StyleClaude Durocher; Evelyne Thiffault; Alexis Achim; David Auty; Julie Barrette. 2018. "Untapped volume of surplus forest growth as feedstock for bioenergy." Biomass and Bioenergy 120, no. : 376-386.
Forest management strongly influences the carbon (C) budget of boreal forests and their potential to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. A better quantification of the net changes of carbon pools with time since harvesting is necessary to guide the development of climate-friendly forest management practices. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of forest C pools, with a special focus on detrital biomass, in an 80-year post-harvesting chronosequence consisting of 36 very homogenous stem-only harvested plots from a humid boreal balsam fir forest of eastern Canada. Dead wood C stocks comprised of snags, stumps, downed woody debris and buried wood averaged 37 Mg C ha−1 and evolved according to an upward-facing «boomerang» shape pattern throughout the chronosequence (rapid decrease in the first years followed by a constant increase until the end of the time horizon). In contrast, soil C stocks (FH and mineral) averaged 156 Mg C ha−1 and remain constant through time. Stand C sequestration increased rapidly in the early stages up to age 50 when it reached about 250 Mg C ha−1, and then continued to accumulate at a slower rate. The temporal trends observed in C pools suggest that C originating from aboveground dead wood (snags, stumps, downed woody debris) is either leaving the system (respired or leached) or transferred into buried wood, and does not appear to influence the C stocks of the fine fraction of the organic and mineral soil horizons. However, the ultimate fate of dead wood C is still poorly understood and further research is needed in this field. We recommend fixing the length of harvest rotation at a minimum of 50 years for this ecosystem to allow the build-up of its dead wood capital, and to promote dead wood retention on site. We also recommend including buried wood in carbon inventories as this pool represents an important share of the detrital C stock in these humid boreal forests.
Fanny Senez-Gagnon; Evelyne Thiffault; David Paré; Alexis Achim; Yves Bergeron. Dynamics of detrital carbon pools following harvesting of a humid eastern Canadian balsam fir boreal forest. Forest Ecology and Management 2018, 430, 33 -42.
AMA StyleFanny Senez-Gagnon, Evelyne Thiffault, David Paré, Alexis Achim, Yves Bergeron. Dynamics of detrital carbon pools following harvesting of a humid eastern Canadian balsam fir boreal forest. Forest Ecology and Management. 2018; 430 ():33-42.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFanny Senez-Gagnon; Evelyne Thiffault; David Paré; Alexis Achim; Yves Bergeron. 2018. "Dynamics of detrital carbon pools following harvesting of a humid eastern Canadian balsam fir boreal forest." Forest Ecology and Management 430, no. : 33-42.
Driven by the policy imperatives of mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving energy security, an increasing proportion of global energy demand is being met by nonfossil energy sources. The socioeconomic and environmental benefits of replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy are complex; however, debate continues about issues such as best practices for biomass removal, stable supply chains, and GHG mitigation. With the greatest biomass per capita in the world, Canada could play an increasing role in the future of global bioenergy and the emerging bioeconomy. This paper reviews the utilization of feedstock salvaged after natural disturbances (fire and insect outbreaks) to supply wood‐based bioenergy, by addressing the following multidisciplinary questions: (1) How much salvaged feedstock is available, and what are the uncertainties around these estimates? (2) How can sustainable practices to support increased removal of biomass be implemented? (3) What are the constraints on development of an integrated supply chain and cost‐effective mobilization of the biomass? (4) Is the quality of biomass from salvaged trees suitable for conversion to bioenergy? (5) What is the potential for climate change mitigation? In average, salvaged feedstock from fire and insects could theoretically provide about 100 × 106 oven Dry ton (ODT) biomass per year, with high variability over time and space. Existing policies and guidelines for harvesting of woody biomass in Canadian jurisdictions could support sustainable biomass removal. However, uncertainties remain as to the development of competitive and profitable supply chains, because of the large distances between the locations of this feedstock and available processing sites. Another uncertainty lies in the time needed for a benefit in climate change mitigation to occur. A flexible supply chain, integrated with other sources of biomass residues, is needed to develop a cost‐efficient bioenergy sector. This article is categorized under: Bioenergy > Climate and Environment
Nicolas Mansuy; Julie Barrette; Jérôme Laganière; Warren Mabee; David Paré; Shuva Gautam; Evelyne Thiffault; Saeed Ghafghazi. Salvage harvesting for bioenergy in Canada: From sustainable and integrated supply chain to climate change mitigation. WIREs Energy and Environment 2018, 7, 1 .
AMA StyleNicolas Mansuy, Julie Barrette, Jérôme Laganière, Warren Mabee, David Paré, Shuva Gautam, Evelyne Thiffault, Saeed Ghafghazi. Salvage harvesting for bioenergy in Canada: From sustainable and integrated supply chain to climate change mitigation. WIREs Energy and Environment. 2018; 7 (5):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicolas Mansuy; Julie Barrette; Jérôme Laganière; Warren Mabee; David Paré; Shuva Gautam; Evelyne Thiffault; Saeed Ghafghazi. 2018. "Salvage harvesting for bioenergy in Canada: From sustainable and integrated supply chain to climate change mitigation." WIREs Energy and Environment 7, no. 5: 1.
Global demand for renewable energy has increased drastically over the last decade due to new climate change policies implemented in many jurisdictions. Wood pellets made from primary wood processing mill residues represent an attractive source of renewable energy that can be used in the environmental global challenge. However, the environmental impacts involved in their manufacture must be considered to measure the real benefits they can provide to the atmosphere. The general aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of wood pellet production at two Quebec plants using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and considering a gate-to-gate approach. The paper focuses on the different stages involved in wood pellet production; from the recovery of mill residues, through the pelletization process, to pellet bagging. The paper further expands to a cradle-to-grave analysis comparing the environmental footprints of producing and combusting 1 GJ of energy from wood pellets, natural gas and fossil fuel oil. The analysis suggested that the drying and the pelletizing stages were the largest negative factors affecting the environmental performance of wood pellet production. The comparison demonstrated the environmental advantage of using renewable rather than fossil sources of energy. Considering the growing interest in renewable energy, biomass in particular, and the lack of environmental information on wood pellets, this study could be useful not only for forest sector-related industries but also for the energy sector and policymakers.
Alejandro Padilla-Rivera; Julie Barrette; Pierre Blanchet; Evelyne Thiffault. Environmental Performance of Eastern Canadian Wood Pellets as Measured Through Life Cycle Assessment. Forests 2017, 8, 352 .
AMA StyleAlejandro Padilla-Rivera, Julie Barrette, Pierre Blanchet, Evelyne Thiffault. Environmental Performance of Eastern Canadian Wood Pellets as Measured Through Life Cycle Assessment. Forests. 2017; 8 (9):352.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlejandro Padilla-Rivera; Julie Barrette; Pierre Blanchet; Evelyne Thiffault. 2017. "Environmental Performance of Eastern Canadian Wood Pellets as Measured Through Life Cycle Assessment." Forests 8, no. 9: 352.
Julie Barrette; Evelyne Thiffault; Alexis Achim; Martin Junginger; David Pothier; Louis De Grandpré. A financial analysis of the potential of dead trees from the boreal forest of eastern Canada to serve as feedstock for wood pellet export. Applied Energy 2017, 198, 410 -425.
AMA StyleJulie Barrette, Evelyne Thiffault, Alexis Achim, Martin Junginger, David Pothier, Louis De Grandpré. A financial analysis of the potential of dead trees from the boreal forest of eastern Canada to serve as feedstock for wood pellet export. Applied Energy. 2017; 198 ():410-425.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulie Barrette; Evelyne Thiffault; Alexis Achim; Martin Junginger; David Pothier; Louis De Grandpré. 2017. "A financial analysis of the potential of dead trees from the boreal forest of eastern Canada to serve as feedstock for wood pellet export." Applied Energy 198, no. : 410-425.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been reporting country-level area in primary forests in its Global Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) since 2005. The FAO definition of a primary forest (naturally regenerated forest of native species where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed) is generally accepted as authoritative and is being used in policy making. However, problems with this definition undermine our capacity to obtain globally-coherent estimates. In addition, the current reporting on primary forests fails to consider the complementarity of non-primary forests towards the maintenance of ecosystem services. These issues undermine the appropriate tracking of changes in primary and non-primary forests, and the assessment of impacts of such changes on ecosystem services. We present the case for an operational reconsideration of the primary forest concept and discuss how alternatives or supplements might be developed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
P. Y. Bernier; David Paré; G. Stinson; S. R. J. Bridge; B. E. Kishchuk; T. C. Lemprière; E. Thiffault; B. D. Titus; W. Vasbinder. Moving beyond the concept of “primary forest” as a metric of forest environment quality. Ecological Applications 2017, 27, 349 -354.
AMA StyleP. Y. Bernier, David Paré, G. Stinson, S. R. J. Bridge, B. E. Kishchuk, T. C. Lemprière, E. Thiffault, B. D. Titus, W. Vasbinder. Moving beyond the concept of “primary forest” as a metric of forest environment quality. Ecological Applications. 2017; 27 (2):349-354.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. Y. Bernier; David Paré; G. Stinson; S. R. J. Bridge; B. E. Kishchuk; T. C. Lemprière; E. Thiffault; B. D. Titus; W. Vasbinder. 2017. "Moving beyond the concept of “primary forest” as a metric of forest environment quality." Ecological Applications 27, no. 2: 349-354.
Nicolas Mansuy; David Paré; Evelyne Thiffault; Pierre Y. Bernier; Guillaume Cyr; Francis Manka; Benoit Lafleur; Luc Guindon. Estimating the spatial distribution and locating hotspots of forest biomass from harvest residues and fire-damaged stands in Canada's managed forests. Biomass and Bioenergy 2017, 97, 90 -99.
AMA StyleNicolas Mansuy, David Paré, Evelyne Thiffault, Pierre Y. Bernier, Guillaume Cyr, Francis Manka, Benoit Lafleur, Luc Guindon. Estimating the spatial distribution and locating hotspots of forest biomass from harvest residues and fire-damaged stands in Canada's managed forests. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2017; 97 ():90-99.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicolas Mansuy; David Paré; Evelyne Thiffault; Pierre Y. Bernier; Guillaume Cyr; Francis Manka; Benoit Lafleur; Luc Guindon. 2017. "Estimating the spatial distribution and locating hotspots of forest biomass from harvest residues and fire-damaged stands in Canada's managed forests." Biomass and Bioenergy 97, no. : 90-99.
B.E. Kishchuk; D.M. Morris; M. Lorente; T. Keddy; D. Sidders; S. Quideau; Evelyne Thiffault; M. Kwiaton; D. Maynard. Disturbance intensity and dominant cover type influence rate of boreal soil carbon change: A Canadian multi-regional analysis. Forest Ecology and Management 2016, 381, 48 -62.
AMA StyleB.E. Kishchuk, D.M. Morris, M. Lorente, T. Keddy, D. Sidders, S. Quideau, Evelyne Thiffault, M. Kwiaton, D. Maynard. Disturbance intensity and dominant cover type influence rate of boreal soil carbon change: A Canadian multi-regional analysis. Forest Ecology and Management. 2016; 381 ():48-62.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB.E. Kishchuk; D.M. Morris; M. Lorente; T. Keddy; D. Sidders; S. Quideau; Evelyne Thiffault; M. Kwiaton; D. Maynard. 2016. "Disturbance intensity and dominant cover type influence rate of boreal soil carbon change: A Canadian multi-regional analysis." Forest Ecology and Management 381, no. : 48-62.
Significant opportunities exist to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase domestic energy security, boost rural economies, and improve local environmental conditions through the deployment of sustainable bioenergy and bio-based product supply chains. There is currently a wide selection of possible feedstocks, a variety of conversion routes, and a number of different end products that can be produced at a range of scales. However, economic slowdown, low oil prices, lack of global political will, and lingering questions regarding land use change and the sustainability of bioenergy production systems provide a challenging global context to speed the pace of investment. The opinions expressed in this paper are derived from our collaboration within IEA Bioenergy to determine opportunities as well as barriers that need to be overcome to realize opportunities on a wider scale. This comprehensive and novel collaborative effort confirmed that feedstocks produced using logistically efficient production systems can be mobilized to make significant contributions to achieving global targets for bioenergy. At the same time, significant barriers to large-scale implementation exist in many regions. The mobilization potential identified in the study will depend on both increases in supply chain efficiencies and profits and strong policy support to increase stakeholder and investor confidence. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
C. Tattersall Smith; Brenna Lattimore; Göran Berndes; Niclas Scott Bentsen; Ioannis Dimitriou; J.W.A. (Hans) Langeveld; Evelyne Thiffault. Opportunities to encourage mobilization of sustainable bioenergy supply chains. WIREs Energy and Environment 2016, 6, 1 .
AMA StyleC. Tattersall Smith, Brenna Lattimore, Göran Berndes, Niclas Scott Bentsen, Ioannis Dimitriou, J.W.A. (Hans) Langeveld, Evelyne Thiffault. Opportunities to encourage mobilization of sustainable bioenergy supply chains. WIREs Energy and Environment. 2016; 6 (3):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Tattersall Smith; Brenna Lattimore; Göran Berndes; Niclas Scott Bentsen; Ioannis Dimitriou; J.W.A. (Hans) Langeveld; Evelyne Thiffault. 2016. "Opportunities to encourage mobilization of sustainable bioenergy supply chains." WIREs Energy and Environment 6, no. 3: 1.
We studied three hybrid poplar plantations in Quebec (Canada) established on sites with varying soil and environmental characteristics to investigate the effects of logging residues on the water potential, carbon isotope ratio and foliar nutrients of planted trees. On each site, four treatments representing different residue loads, as well as treatments aimed at manipulating specific factors of the environment (Herbicide, Geotextile) were applied to test their effects on seedling water potential, carbon isotope ratio and foliar nutrients. Along with analyses of variance, we used structural equation modelling to infer causal relationships of logging residues on height, basal diameter and foliar nutrition of trees through their effects on soil temperature, soil water content and competing vegetation cover. Logging residues decreased soil temperature at all sites and woody plants cover at one site out of three. Height, basal diameter and unit leaf mass were strongly related to each other. Foliar δ13C, N concentration and unit leaf mass increased with decreasing cover of woody plants suggesting an important role of competition for resources. Overall, logging residues had no direct influence on hybrid poplar dimensions after two growing seasons: their effects on the microenvironment of this resource demanding tree species were either cancelling out each other, or were not significant enough to have a significant impact on the growth drivers measured. For example, presence of logging residues might reduce soil temperature, impeding overall seedling performance. Our study highlights the fact that any given silvicultural method aimed at manipulating logging residues has a complex influence involving the interaction of multiple environmental drivers and that the net effect on tree productivity will depend on species and site specific conditions.
Amélie Trottier-Picard; Evelyne Thiffault; Nelson Thiffault; Annie DesRochers; David Paré; Christian Messier. Complex impacts of logging residues on planted hybrid poplar seedlings in boreal ecosystems. New Forests 2016, 47, 877 -895.
AMA StyleAmélie Trottier-Picard, Evelyne Thiffault, Nelson Thiffault, Annie DesRochers, David Paré, Christian Messier. Complex impacts of logging residues on planted hybrid poplar seedlings in boreal ecosystems. New Forests. 2016; 47 (6):877-895.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmélie Trottier-Picard; Evelyne Thiffault; Nelson Thiffault; Annie DesRochers; David Paré; Christian Messier. 2016. "Complex impacts of logging residues on planted hybrid poplar seedlings in boreal ecosystems." New Forests 47, no. 6: 877-895.
In the Lower Athabasca region of Alberta (Canada), surface mining for bitumen from oil sands creates highly disturbed environments, which need to be restored, after mine closing, to equivalent land capability in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem services. We demonstrate a method to characterize ecosystem diversity and conditions using biophysical indicators of the Lower Athabasca meant for informing land reclamation planning and monitoring by identifying and creating a typology of the main assemblages of topography, soil and forest vegetation at the watershed, landform and ecosite scales, and analysing the relationships among land units of various scales. Our results showed that watersheds could be classified into distinct groups with specific features, even for a region with a generally flat or gently rolling topography, with slope, surficial deposits and aspect as key drivers of differences. Despite the subtle topography, the moisture regime, which is linked to large-scale cycles that are dependent on the surrounding matrix, was of primary importance for driving vegetation assemblages. There was no unique and homogeneous association between topography and vegetation; the specific landforms each displayed a range of ecosites, and the same ecosites were found in different landforms. This suggests that landscapes cannot be defined in a qualitative manner but rather with quantitative indicators that express the proportion occupied by each class of ecological units within the coarser units, therefore requiring during land reclamation that sufficient care is given to create heterogeneity within a given landform in terms of soil texture and drainage so that a mosaic of ecosite conditions is created.
Evelyne Thiffault; Kara Webster; Benoit Lafleur; Stephanie Wilson; Nicolas Mansuy. Biophysical indicators based on spatial hierarchy for informing land reclamation: The case of the Lower Athabasca River (Alberta, Canada). Ecological Indicators 2016, 72, 173 -184.
AMA StyleEvelyne Thiffault, Kara Webster, Benoit Lafleur, Stephanie Wilson, Nicolas Mansuy. Biophysical indicators based on spatial hierarchy for informing land reclamation: The case of the Lower Athabasca River (Alberta, Canada). Ecological Indicators. 2016; 72 ():173-184.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvelyne Thiffault; Kara Webster; Benoit Lafleur; Stephanie Wilson; Nicolas Mansuy. 2016. "Biophysical indicators based on spatial hierarchy for informing land reclamation: The case of the Lower Athabasca River (Alberta, Canada)." Ecological Indicators 72, no. : 173-184.
The interpretation of foliar nutrient composition data through vector nutrient analysis to assess treatment effects such as those of fertilization has expanded in the forest sciences and related fields of research over the last few years. However, it rarely includes measures of variability that would allow formal statistical assessment of the true effect of treatments. We propose a mixed linear multilevel model for the analysis of unit leaf mass and nutrient concentrations from which all treatment effects on nutrient concentration and content can be estimated and assessed. It accounts for the correlation between leaf concentration and content of all nutrients. Confidence regions are developed from the model and drawn around the tips of the vectors to facilitate the interpretation of statistical tests of the treatment effects or vector positions. Adjustments for multiplicity are also considered. The procedure is illustrated with a case study from an experiment designed to investigate foliar nutrient response to two harvesting methods.
Michèle Bernier-Cardou; Évelyne Thiffault; David M. Morris. Confidence Regions for Foliar Nutrient Analysis. Forest Science 2016, 62, 260 -267.
AMA StyleMichèle Bernier-Cardou, Évelyne Thiffault, David M. Morris. Confidence Regions for Foliar Nutrient Analysis. Forest Science. 2016; 62 (3):260-267.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichèle Bernier-Cardou; Évelyne Thiffault; David M. Morris. 2016. "Confidence Regions for Foliar Nutrient Analysis." Forest Science 62, no. 3: 260-267.