📘 Read the full study in the Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 386 (2025): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125719 or contact Dr. Chad Bolding for more information.
As global demand for renewable energy grows, the southeastern United States has become a major supplier of wood pellets, primarily for export to Europe. This shift has raised concerns about the environmental sustainability of pellet feedstock harvesting, particularly regarding the retention of downed woody debris (DWD) and nutrient cycling.
A 2025 study by Bays et al. investigated these concerns by comparing 75 harvest sites across five southeastern states. The study evaluated conventional pulpwood harvests and wood pellet feedstock operations, including those using in-woods chipping.
The results showed that clearcut sites using in-woods chipping retained significantly less DWD—especially coarse material—than conventional harvests. However, thinning operations showed no significant differences. Nutrient losses, particularly carbon and nitrogen, were minimal and largely confined to landings, which represent a small fraction of the total site area.
Importantly, all treatments met or exceeded commonly cited Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs), suggesting that current practices are environmentally sustainable in the short term. The authors recommend further research to assess long-term impacts and validate BHG thresholds, especially in regions with sensitive soils or steep terrain.
For forest industry professionals, this study provides reassurance that wood pellet harvesting can be conducted responsibly—but also highlights the importance of continued monitoring and adaptive management.
🌲Key Findings Summary:
- Clearcut sites using in-woods chipping retained 40–50% less DWD than conventional harvests.
- Nutrient losses (carbon and nitrogen) were minimal and mostly confined to landings, which make up <3% of the site.
- Thinning operations showed no significant differences between harvest types.
- All treatments met or exceeded residue retention targets commonly cited in Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs).
