Science Forums 2

[Michaelangelica]

'Black gold agriculture' may revolutionize farming, curb global warming
'Black gold agriculture' may revolutionize farming, curb global warming

The researchers are about to embark on a five-year study on the effect of “black gold” on spinach, green peppers, tomatoes and other crops. They seek the long-term effects of biochar fertilization on soil carbon changes, crop productivity and its effect of the soil microorganism community.

“Through this long-term work, we will show to people that biochar fertilization will significantly change our current conventional farming concepts,” says Guo

.'Black gold agriculture' may revolutionize farming, curb global warming

Ancient Method, 'Black Gold Agriculture' May Revolutionize Farming, Curb Global Warming
Have we got five years?

Seeing the wood for the trees

* 14 January 1995

Renewable energy resources in 2005

WOOD kindled mankind's first fires. But could it also be the fuel of the future? Last month, as part of its scheme to encourage the development of renewable sources of energy, the government announced measures that it hopes will lead to wood and other biofuels being exploited on a grand scale.

The key to the plan is a return to coppicing, one of Britain's most ancient methods of managing woodlands. A well-managed coppice is a paragon of sustainable harvesting, producing large quantities of wood without destroying the woodland. In a coppice, foresters cut the young trees almost to the ground to leave a stump, or "stool", from which numerous poles sprout. After a year, six or more poles of between 2 and 4 metres will have grown up.

Land economists say that by early next century more than 5 million hectares - almost a fifth of the area of Britain - could be planted with coppice. But while researchers argue that these woodlands could help Britain to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide, some environmentalists fear that such "industrial" coppicing may not be as green as it seems.

Coppicing has long been a distinctive feature of the British landscape.

Seeing the wood for the trees - 14 January 1995 - New Scientist