Multipurpose Tree Plantations and the Sustainability of Energy Biomass Production

Dedicated energy plantations can provide an environmentally benign source of renewable energy as well as serve as an alternative agricultural crop. Special planting configurations may yield additional benefits in terms of a service role between harvests or provide flexibility in the end-use products. By considering multiple benefits obtained from enerery plantings. The overall sustainability of the management system-will be enhanced. Some examples involving shelter plantings, soil stabilization, etc., are discussed as alternatives to single-purpose energy plantations.