The model of potential biomass production of riparian stands in Odra river basin

In Central Europe, there is a several centuries long tradition of the flood-protection regulation of watercourses by means of biological engineering measures. Various species of willows show ideal conditions for this way of use. From the point of view of economy, however, bank protection by willows is very expensive and the use of wicker is rather limited. Only the use of wood for energy purposes provides a chance to change this unfavorable situation. With the present cost of energies obtaining energy wood can at least partly cover costs for the maintenance of banks protected and reinforced by biological measures. Total adjustment of costs is not necessary because flood protection is partly covered from all-society sources. Efforts for the energy use of wicker obtained from biologically reinforced banks date back before the year 2000 when the economic stimulation to replace fossil fuels by woody biomass did not exist in the Czech Republic due to cost deformation of fossil fuels. Present (and quite certainly also future) costs of heat and electric energy make an intention to use wicker for energy purposes absolutely realistic. The production potential of natural stands of white willow was studied in communities developed due to primary succession. The biomass of stems, branches, annual rings and leaves was determined on the basis of samples taken destructively corresponding to the mean of particular diameter classes. Subsequently, the conversion of values of the biomass production was carried out per the area unit or per the watercourse length unit. The Odra river basin was selected as a model basin. Forest site survey and mapping were carried out there. On the basis of the survey suitable sections of watercourses were determined fulfilling ecological requirements of white willow. By means of their quantification, the calculation was carried out of the energy potential of riparian stands in the model catchment area. The study results in assessing the realistic potential of wicker used for energy purposes which can be obtained without any demand on forest or agricultural land.