Pinning Hopes on Short Rotation Coppice? Reviewing Perspectives and Challenges

Over the coming years a rising demand for woody biomass fuels is to be expected. Parts of this demand could be met by short rotation coppice. If compared with intensive farming practices for annual energy crops, short rotation coppice has lower environmental impacts and lower requirements concerning climate and soil quality. High yields in terms of energy content per hectare can be achieved. This article reviews the prospects for short rotation coppice considering land availability as well as site-specific, economic and environmental requirements. Against the backdrop of a changing political framework in the areas of agriculture and energy, the issue of competing land use requirements of energy crops, food production, and nature conservation will be discussed.