ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights examples from across the world where perennial crops grown for bio-energy have produced measurable improvements in ecosystem health. Establishing plantations for a combination of bio-energy production and ecosystem enhancement may not fit within everyone's vision of ecological restoration. With regards to soil erosion, short rotation coppicing (SRC) cropping systems generally have lower rates of soil loss than annual cropping systems. Eucalyptus trees are another important option for SRC bio-energy systems in regions with tropical, sub-tropical and Mediterranean climates. Brazil has a history of using some of its eucalypt plantations to produce charcoal for pig iron and steel-making, with more recent trials aimed at electricity generation. The 2009 Oil Mallee Industry Development Plan also identifies opportunities from emerging technologies, including liquid bio-fuels and bio-char, with aviation fuels being a more recent focus of research interest. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) offers potential for investment money to flow from developed to developing countries for reforestation and affore station projects.
