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Forests
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Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development
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Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025 | Viewed by 3260

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gloria Oporto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6125, USA
Interests: biomaterials from lignocellulosic sources; novel composites; nano-biocomposites; engineered wood-based composites; forest resources in US history
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest biomass utilization has significant implications for global sustainable development across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Utilizing forest biomass sustainably presents both opportunities and challenges in the transition towards renewable and low-carbon energy sources. From an environmental perspective, responsible forest biomass utilization can contribute to mitigating climate change by substituting fossil fuels with biomass-derived energy, and/or using mass timber products as carbon sequesters. Economically, forest biomass utilization creates jobs in the forestry, processing, and bioenergy sectors. On a social level, biomass utilization can enhance energy security and access, particularly in rural and remote areas where conventional sources may be limited. The main challenges include ensuring biomass extraction does not exceed forest regeneration rates, protecting biodiversity, and addressing land-use conflicts. Policy frameworks are crucial to promoting sustainable practices, including robust regulations, incentives for sustainable forestry, and investment in research and development for efficient forest biomass utilization technologies. This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the most recent advances in the field of forest biomass and their applications in diverse areas, keeping in mind the concept of global sustainable development.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Mass timber products and developments;
  • Biochar applications;
  • Sustainable Forestry;
  • Bioenergy;
  • Biomass forestry applications in rural areas;
  • Forest ecosystem for sustainable forest biomass;
  • Carbon sequestration and carbon credits;
  • Sustainable management of forest resources ;
  • Future perspectives for forest biomass.

Dr. Gloria Oporto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest biomass
  • bioenergy
  • engineered wood composites
  • engineered wood products
  • biochar
  • wood products market
  • carbon sequestration
  • carbon credits

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 16927 KiB  
Article
Unlocking the Main Factors Affecting the Strength and Stability of Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) After a Mild and Environmentally Friendly Densification Process
by Balazs Bencsik, Levente Denes, Joseph McNeel, Luke Chaddock and Gloria S. Oporto
Forests 2025, 16(2), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020323 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 538
Abstract
The densification of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) has emerged as a critical area of research, driven by its desirable properties and broad potential applications. This study investigated the effects of four densification parameters using a 24 full factorial design to [...] Read more.
The densification of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) has emerged as a critical area of research, driven by its desirable properties and broad potential applications. This study investigated the effects of four densification parameters using a 24 full factorial design to evaluate their impact on physical and mechanical properties. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pareto analyses identified the compression ratio as the most influential factor, significantly affecting bending strength, compression strength, hardness, and spring-back behavior. Pressing temperature was the second most significant factor, with higher levels positively impacting mechanical properties. However, increasing the pre-steaming treatment duration from 30 to 60 min at 130 °C had a detrimental effect on strength and spring-back performance, particularly at a 50% compression ratio. Pressing time showed no significant effect on strength properties but contributed positively to hardness and spring-back behavior at higher levels. Several significant factor interactions were observed, further influencing the outcomes. Differences in density profiles were notable across compression ratios, with higher ratios producing more uniform distributions. Under optimal parameters, densification increased compression strength by 117%, bending strength by 60%, and hardness by 154% compared to undensified control samples, demonstrating the potential of densified yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) for high-performance applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development)
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Review

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19 pages, 3203 KiB  
Review
Wood-Based Bioenergy in North America: An Overview of Current Knowledge
by Bharat Sharma Acharya, Pradip Saud, Sadikshya Sharma, Gustavo Perez-Verdin, Donald L. Grebner and Omkar Joshi
Forests 2024, 15(9), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091669 - 22 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
Policy priorities for wood-based bioenergy in North America have undergone fluctuations over time, influenced significantly by the dynamic interplay of sociopolitical factors. Recent years, however, have seen a renewed public interest in wood-based bioenergy in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This resurgence [...] Read more.
Policy priorities for wood-based bioenergy in North America have undergone fluctuations over time, influenced significantly by the dynamic interplay of sociopolitical factors. Recent years, however, have seen a renewed public interest in wood-based bioenergy in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This resurgence is driven by fluctuating energy prices and growing concerns about climate change. This review provides an overview of current energy production and consumption scenarios, and highlights critical issues related to the sustainability of bioenergy feedstocks and their economic potential across the three North American countries. Different cross-cutting issues related to public health, climate change, and social acceptance of wood-based bioenergy are thoroughly examined. Within this context, several challenges have been identified, including uncertainties in climate projections, inadequate tree inventories beyond forestlands, deforestation concerns, technological shifts in wood processing, fluctuations in bioenergy demand, and the imperative need for access to reliable markets. Addressing these challenges requires increased research and investment in wood-based energy to enhance energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve economic and social viability in bioenergy production. This proactive approach is vital for fostering a sustainable and resilient wood-based bioenergy sector in North America. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Biomass Utilization: Implications for Global Sustainable Development)
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