Biomass Resource Studies Across South African Forestry Operations

Project overview

South Africa's plantation forestry sector generates significant volumes of residual biomass during harvesting operations: logging residues, bark, small-diameter material, stumps and other material not recovered as conventional timber products. This resource has potential applications in energy generation and fibre processing. Accurately quantifying it requires field-based measurement across different plantation types and management systems.

Scope of work

Charles conducted biomass resource assessments across pine and eucalyptus plantations for multiple clients including Mondi, Fractal Forest Products, Singisi Forest Products and Ingwe Forestry. The work involved quantifying above-ground biomass components and the volumes of residue available under different harvesting systems.

Approach

Biomass quantification draws on inventory methodology adapted to measure components that conventional stand assessments do not capture. Charles applied structured sampling approaches across defined plantation areas to estimate the volumes and distribution of residues, broken down by component type and size class.

The resulting resource assessments provided the data needed for feasibility studies and project planning, giving clients a reliable basis for evaluating the commercial potential of their residue streams.