The Environmental Impact of Poplar Stand Management: A Life Cycle Assessment Study of Different Scenarios

The circular economy will play an important role in the reduction of carbon emissions and poplar might be one winning choices according to sustainable development. As for agricultural crops, high-quality production is strictly related genetic variability best management practice. main objective this study was analyze different stand options quantify differences on emission environmental impacts. Moreover, focused assessment between standard veneer (such as PEFC certification scheme). system boundaries embraced fertilization (inorganic or organic), operations, machinery, field associated with cultivation. impacts were quantified by a life cycle (LCA) calculation using SIMAPRO software v8.0 databases. primary data stands collected during decades-long Italian experience. A observed managed MSA clones (Case “Mezzi PEFC”), negative due organic (scenarios 7m-29 t CO2-eq ha?1 26M-129 ha?1). In all cultivation scenarios, lower than conventional crops area, such corn. higher impact 26M scenario oversized machinery management. These can also contribute modeling represent basis future research developments field.