Biomass in different biotopes – an extensive resource - Biomass as Energy Source: Resources, Systems and Applications - page 104

Figure 5.21. Jungle in Ghana (photo E. Dahlquist).

In Figure 5.21, we see another view from a rain forest. The trees can be very high and then
the “solution” to handle this may be “support structures” as seen at the bottom of these trees.
Throughout the years, many suitable solutions to different problems have evolved, and with so
many different species as in rainforests, the solutions are very different. Here we have the opposite
to monocultures!

5.4 QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSIONS

• Why is biomass almost not considered as an energy resource in most European countries,

although we have vast resources as seen in this chapter?

• What would a sustainable society look like where biomass is one part of the sustainable society,

but combined with other renewable energy resources?

• How can we handle a sustainable biomass production long term?

• How would a global warming scenario affect the biomass production?

• How can we solve the problem of too little water for irrigation in Southern Europe today?

• How can the warmer climate affect the biotopes and the crops and animals in these?

REFERENCES

Bassam el N.: Energy plant species - their use and impact on environment and development . James&James,
UK, 1998.
Dahlquist E., Thorin, E. &Yan, J.: Alternative pathways to a fossil-fuel free energy system in the Mälardalen
region of Sweden. Int. J. Energy Res . (June 2007).
Dupriez, H. &De Leener, P.: Agriculture inAfrican rural communities - crops and soil . Macmillan Publishers.
1988.