Projects per year
Abstract
When considering the large-scale deployment of bioenergy crops, it is important to understand the implication for ecosystem hydrological processes and the influences of crop type and location. Based on the potential for future land use change (LUC), the 10,280 km 2 West Wales Water Framework Directive River Basin District (UK) was selected as a typical grassland dominated district, and the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrology model with a geographic information systems interface was used to investigate implications for different bioenergy deployment scenarios. The study area was delineated into 855 sub-basins and 7,108 hydrological response units based on rivers, soil type, land use, and slope. Changes in hydrological components for two bioenergy crops (Miscanthus and short rotation coppice, SRC) planted on 50% (2,192 km 2) or 25% (1,096 km 2) of existing improved pasture are quantified. Across the study area as a whole, only surface run-off with SRC planted at the 50% level was significantly impacted, where it was reduced by up to 23% (during April). However, results varied spatially and a comparison of annual means for each sub-basin and scenario revealed surface run-off was significantly decreased and baseflow significantly increased (by a maximum of 40%) with both Miscanthus and SRC. Evapotranspiration was significantly increased with SRC (at both planting levels) and water yield was significantly reduced with SRC (at the 50% level) by up to 5%. Effects on streamflow were limited, varying between −5% and +5% change (compared to baseline) in the majority of sub-basins. The results suggest that for mesic temperate grasslands, adverse effects from the drying of soil and alterations to streamflow may not arise, and with surface run-off reduced and baseflow increased, there could, depending on crop location, be potential benefits for flood and erosion mitigation.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 12628 |
Pages (from-to) | 1298-1317 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | GCB Bioenergy |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 11 |
Early online date | 22 May 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Nov 2019 |
Keywords
- hydrology
- miscanthus
- short rotation coppice
- flooding
- bioenergy
- streamflow
- evapotranspiration
- Miscanthus
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Dive into the research topics of 'Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulated hydrological impacts of land use change from temperate grassland to energy crops: A case study in western UK'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Measurement and analysis of bioenergy greenhouse gases: Integrating GHGs into LCAs and the UK Biomass Value Chain Modelling Environment MAGLUE
Donnison, I. (PI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01 Jan 2015 → 31 Aug 2018
Project: Externally funded research
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Understanding processes determining soil carbon balances under perennial bioenergy crops CARBO-BIOCROP
Donnison, I. (PI)
Natural Environment Research Council
01 Jun 2010 → 31 Dec 2014
Project: Externally funded research