How Chester Zoo is growing, harvesting and using willow for its animals.
Farmland bird populations have been declining for decades as a result of farming practices (large monocultures of food crops, use of insecticides and herbicides) and more recently climate change. Perennial biomass crops such as willow and miscanthus could potentially help reverse this trend by providing feeding opportunities, roosting habitats and wildlife corridors. There are many scientific journal articles that cover this subject in depth. However, the evidence of the potential benefits has as yet not been sufficient for biomass crops to be embraced as a solution by environmental and conservation bodies. Similarly, policy makers have so far not incorporated these crops as a feature in Sustainable Farming schemes.
As part of the Biomass Connect project, we have produced two short films looking at birds in and around willow and Miscanthus crops in Devon and Somerset. The films feature ornithologist and wildlife detective Ed Drewitt (along with BC team member Kevin Lindegaard of Crops for Energy) and were filmed in mid-November with a dawn and dusk survey at each site. A short report showing all the birds encountered at each site has also been produced.
The films and report indicate that these crops are being used by a wide range of bird species both for feeding and roosting. The plan is to return to these sites in the spring and summer of 2024 to see what birds are using the crops at these times.
More Information
Willow Biodiversity: https://www.biomassconnect.org/technical-articles/effect_of_willow_on_biodiversity/
Miscanthus Biodiversity: https://www.biomassconnect.org/technical-articles/environmental-and-biodiversity-impacts-of-miscanthus-plantations/
Farmland bird populations have been declining for decades as a result of farming practices (large monocultures of food crops, use of insecticides and herbicides) and more recently climate change. Perennial biomass crops such as willow and miscanthus could potentially help reverse this trend by providing feeding opportunities, roosting habitats and wildlife corridors. There are many scientific journal articles that cover this subject in depth. However, the evidence of the potential benefits has as yet not been sufficient for biomass crops to be embraced as a solution by environmental and conservation bodies. Similarly, policy makers have so far not incorporated these crops as a feature in Sustainable Farming schemes.
As part of the Biomass Connect project, we have produced two short films looking at birds in and around willow and Miscanthus crops in Devon and Somerset. The films feature ornithologist and wildlife detective Ed Drewitt (along with BC team member Kevin Lindegaard of Crops for Energy) and were filmed in mid-November with a dawn and dusk survey at each site. A short report showing all the birds encountered at each site has also been produced.
The films and report indicate that these crops are being used by a wide range of bird species both for feeding and roosting. The plan is to return to these sites in the spring and summer of 2024 to see what birds are using the crops at these times.
More Information
Willow Biodiversity: https://www.biomassconnect.org/technical-articles/effect_of_willow_on_biodiversity/
Miscanthus Biodiversity: https://www.biomassconnect.org/technical-articles/environmental-and-biodiversity-impacts-of-miscanthus-plantations/
Tree planting techniques by Bryan Elliot, filmed at the Biomass Connect SRUC demo event.
This case study features a successful farm-scale community heating scheme using short rotation coppice (SRC) willow as a fuel source. The project has been cost-effective and provided a range of benefits, including energy self-sufficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and potential biodiversity enhancements.
Read the Case Study here: https://www.biomassconnect.org/technical-articles/case-study-src-willow-self-supply-and-use-in-a-farm-scale-community-heating-scheme/
A short video of the successful Biomass Connect demo event at our Ayrshire Hub Site. Be sure to join us on our next event.
The weather may not have been great but our demo event at Boghall Farm near Edinburgh was enjoyed by all.
Another quick assessment of willow growth by Kevin Lindegaard, this time from our Boghall Hub Site in Edinburgh.
Once again establishment and growth have been very good indeed. The crops are doing well seeing as they were only planted 5-6 months previously.
Kevin Lindegaard provides a quick assessment of willow growth at our Headley Hall Hub Site after just 6 months.
A lively and well-attended demo event at the Biomass Connect Agri-food and Biosciences Institute Hub Site in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.
Our next event is in association with Terravesta on October 26th: Miscanthus Establishment and Cultivation