Author
Morhart, Christopher D.Douglas, Gerry C.
Dupraz, Christian
Graves, Anil R.
Nahm, Michael
Paris, Perluigi
Sauter, Udo H.
Sheppard, Jonathan
Spiecker, Heinrich
Keyword
High-value timber productionShort-rotation coppice
Alley cropping
Agroforestry
Coppice with standards
Biodiversity
Biomass
SRC
Date
2014-05
Metadata
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Christopher D. Morhart, Gerry C. Douglas, Christian Dupraz, Anil R. Graves, Michael Nahm, Pierluigi Paris, Udo H. Sauter, Jonathan Sheppard, Heinrich Spiecker. Alley coppice — a new system with ancient roots. Annals of Forest Science, 2014, 71(5), 527-542. DOI: 10.1007/s13595-014-0373-5Abstract
Context: Current production from natural forests will not satisfy future world demand for timber and fuel wood, and new land management options are required. Aims: We explore an innovative production system that combines the production of short rotation coppice in wide alleys with the production of high-value trees on narrow strips of land; it is an alternative form of alley cropping which we propose to call ‘alley coppice’. The aim is to describe this alley coppice system and to illustrate its potential for producing two diverse products, namely high-value timber and energy wood on the same land unit. Methods: Based on a comprehensive literature review, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of the alley coppice system and contrast the features with well-known existing or past systems of biomass and wood production. Results: We describe and discuss the basic aspects of alley coppice, its design and dynamics, the processes of competition and facilitation, issues of ecology, and areas that are open for future research. Conclusion: Based on existing knowledge, a solid foundation for the implementation of alley coppice on suitable land is presented, and the high potential of this system could be shown.Funder
European Commissionae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0373-5