Publications
Outburst of senescence-related VOC emissions from a bioenergy poplar plantation University of Antwerp
Leaf senescence is a catabolic process that emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In densely planted monocultures these VOC emissions occur in outbursts that might be relevant for the local air quality since these VOCs are typically oxygenated. The VOC emissions of a high-density poplar (Populus) bioenergy plantation were monitored along with meteorological parameters, CO2 and H2O exchanges, canopy greenness, and leaf area index during the ...
The involvement of the phytohormone ethylene in the adaptation of Arabidopsis rosettes to enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations University of Antwerp Ghent University
Atmospheric CO2 levels are rising rapidly due to anthropogenic activities. Although plants require CO2 to fuel photosynthesis, the relationship between CO2 and plant growth is complex. In phytotrons elevated CO2 was shown to stimulate growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. In nature, there is, however, a constant variation in temperature, the availability of sunlight, nutrients and water, in addition to biotic stresses. The aim of this study was to ...
A comparison of different methods for assessing leaf area index in four canopy types University of Antwerp
The agreement of Leaf Area Index (LAI) assessments from three indirect methods, i.e. the LAI–2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer, the SS1 SunScan Canopy Analysis System and Digital Hemispherical Photography (DHP) was evaluated for four canopy types, i.e. a short rotation coppice plantation (SRC) with poplar, a Scots pine stand, a Pedunculate oak stand and a maize field. In the SRC and in the maize field, the indirect measurements were compared with ...
Below-ground carbon inputs contribute more than above-ground inputs to soil carbon accrual in a bioenergy poplar plantation University of Antwerp
Background and aims Soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual is central to the discussion on active atmospheric CO2 removal strategies, but it requires a clear understanding of the mechanisms driving new SOC formation. SOC is formed from the decomposition of above- and below-ground plant inputs, yet their accurate quantification remains a major challenge. In the current study the in-growth soil core and δ13C methods were combined to quantify the net C ...
Biodiversity in short-rotation coppice University of Antwerp
Although short-rotation coppice (SRC) is a sustainable cultivation technique, biodiversity issues keep policy makers from encouraging farmers to establish SRC. From the 47 reviewed publications of this review 91% reported on poplar or willow SRC, and 63% focused on animal diversity. The α- and β-diversity were most often studied by quantifying species richness and abundance. SRC had a positive effect on fungal diversity, which was negatively ...
Consensus, uncertainties and challenges for perennial bioenergy crops and land use University of Antwerp
Perennial bioenergy crops have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation by substituting for fossil fuels; yet delivering significant GHG savings will require substantial land-use change, globally. Over the last decade, research has delivered improved understanding of the environmental benefits and risks of this transition to perennial bioenergy crops, addressing concerns that the ...
Productivity of mechanized whip harvesting with the Stemster MkIII in a short-rotation coppice established on farmland University of Antwerp
The success of short-rotation coppice (SRC) will rise with increasing biomass prices. One of the main constraints for establishing SRC today is the unpredictable cost of (whip) harvesting. Therefore, the harvest of a 9 ha SRC in Belgium was monitored, in order to develop a whip harvesting cost model to estimate harvesting productivity and costs as a function of various input data. The harvest was executed in February 2017 with a Stemster MkIII, ...
Transpiration at leaf and tree level in a poplar short-rotation coppice culture University of Antwerp
Poplar (Populus spp.) is one of the most commonly cultivated genera in experimental and commercial short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations. The genus is among the fastest growing in temperate latitudes, but the success of highly productive poplar SRC plantations strongly depends on soil water availability. We examined the transpiration at the leaf and the individual tree levels of four different poplar genotypes under an SRC regime. ...
Genotypic variation in transpiration of coppiced poplar during the third rotation of a short-rotation bio-energy culture University of Antwerp
The productivity of short‐rotation coppice (SRC) plantations with poplar (Populus spp.) strongly depends on soil water availability, which limits the future development of its cultivation, and makes the study of the transpirational water loss particularly timely under the ongoing climate change (more frequent drought and floods). This study assesses the transpiration at different scales (leaf, tree and stand) of four poplar genotypes belonging ...