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作者

来源

LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING,Vol.188,P.54-63

语言

英文

关键字

Sustainability assessment; Bioenergy; Agent-Based Modeling; Woody biomass harvesting; Smallholders; Voluntary incentive programs; LAND-COVER CHANGE; NATURAL SYSTEMS; CELLULOSIC ETHANOL; INCENTIVE PROGRAMS; FOREST MANAGEMENT; WOODY BIOMASS; COUPLED HUMAN;

作者单位

[Rouleau, Mark] Michigan Technol Univ, Dept Social Sci, 1400 Townsend Dr, Houghton, MI 49931 USA. [Zupko, Robert] Michigan Technol Univ, Computat Sci & Engn, 1400 Townsend Dr, Houghton, MI 49931 USA. Rouleau, M (reprint author), Michigan Technol Univ, Dept Social Sci, 1400 Townsend Dr, Houghton, MI 49931 USA. E-Mail: mdroulea@mtu.edu; rzupko@mtu.edu

摘要

Woody biomass bioenergy is an important renewable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. However, the negative land-use change impacts of biomass harvesting necessary for bioenergy production can potentially outweigh its positive benefits if poorly managed. In this paper, we explain how Agent-Based Modeling (ABM), a form of computer simulation, can be used to conduct a comprehensive bioenergy sustainability assessment to identify possible gains and trade-offs necessary to develop bioenergy in regions with large numbers of private family forest owners or smallholders who own a significant share of available biomass. We discuss how ABM simulation can overcome the barriers of existing sustainability assessment tools and provide a demonstration of the sustainability assessment capabilities of an ABM using a hypothetical case study that explores the introduction of a bioenergy conversion facility in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. We conduct a series of alternative futures scenarios and compare the sustainability outcomes of three alternative policy regimes using voluntary incentive programs to encourage smallholders to harvest biomass.