Contents


Thematic structure and methodology

The joint research project structure consisted of 7 areas (“Cluster”):

  • Ecological landscape functions
  • System solutions to mobilize timber reserves
  • Innovative production systems and techniques
  • System solutions for material/energetic cascade utilisation
  • Ecological impact assessment of different cultivation techniques
  • Socio-economic assessment of utilisation concepts
  • Result integration, implementation and participation

Using this approach, ecological, economical as well as regional social consequences of different utilisation concepts were taken into account in a scientific manner. Results gathered from sub-projects were integrated, evaluated and, together with regional and local stakeholders, communicated via “regional conferences”.

Expected results

BEST set a focus on meeting the goals of the “German National Biomass Action Plan”. That concerned the development of integrative concepts for sustainable land use, the consideration of impacts on cultural landscapes, the prevention of environmental pollution, the exploitation of unused potentials and efficient solutions in case of diverging user interests.

The project stressed innovative usage concepts with special focus on wood production for energetic use by means of short rotation coppice and agroforestry systems including optional irrigation with pre-treated grey-water and integration of further biomass production lines, e.g. grassland for biogas generation.

Apart from that, concepts for more efficient use of timber reserves in woods were developed and new production lines were demonstrated.

The so called “cascade utilisation” was seen as basic guideline. It was sought to give material use of wooden biomass (e.g. chipboards) priority to energetic use. Hence, the project aimed to increase added value on the one hand and higher CO2-storage volumes on the other. Ecological landscape analysis as well as socio-economic analysis were part of the research project. In regular regional conferences the users were directly integrated.


Partners

  • Georg-August-University Göttingen
  • University of Kassel
  • Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Göttingen
  • Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Braunschweig, Eberswalde and Hamburg
  • 3N Competence Centre Lower Saxony, Network Renewable Energy, Göttingen
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research (Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut), Braunschweig
  • Thuringian Regional Institute of Agriculture, Gerstungen
  • Energy Agency Göttingen region
  • Energy Woods Thuringia Ltd., Gierstädt
  • Office for Applied Landscape Ecology and Scenario Analysis (BALSA), Göttingen