The paper assessess woody biomass resources available near Bielawa. Two scenarios for a fuel supply chain are analysed. Supply with logging residue is compared to hypothetical SRC plantation (Salix).
Table of contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Bielawa - territorial conditions
1.2 Forestry policy in Lower Silesia
1.3 Environmental policy and issues
1.4 Agricultural policy and conditions concerning rural areas
2. Supplying Bielawa with wood-fuel scenario
2.1 Wood availability and issues related to the energy supply
2.2 Fuelwood from forestry - logistics and related cost factors
2.3 Biofuell from SRC plantations
3. Conclusions
1. Introduction
1.1 Bielawa - territorial conditions
The administrative division of Poland since 1999 has been based on three levels of subdivision. The territory of Poland is divided into voivodeships (regions); these are further divided into powiats (counties), and these in turn are divided into gminas (communes or municipalities). Major cities normally have the status of both gmina and powiat. Poland currently has 16 voivodeships, 379 powiats (including 65 cities with powiat status), and 2 478 gminas.
Bielawa is a small town inhabited by approximately 32 000 citizens. It’s situated in the Lower Silesia region, in Dzierżoniów county - south part of the region, near Czech republic border.
Figure 1.1 - Administrative division of Poland - location of Bielawa, surrounding counties and towns/cities (State Forest Agency, 2011)
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It’s situated approximately 55 km from capital of the region - Wrocław. Bielawa has municipality status.
Bielawa is situated in Owl mountains, which is a part of Central Sudetes mountains. The lowest located point is situated 280 m above the sea level and the highest one is 964 m above the sea level.
Figure 1.2 Bielawa - view from one of the mountains (Wikipedia EN)
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1.2 Forestry policy in Lower Silesia
Forestry In Poland is regulated by “State forests law act” (State Forests Law act, 1991 with changes up to 2011). It constitutes State Forest agency as an organization responsible for the management of forests that belong to the state. In Poland forests that belong to the state are 78,3 % of all forests (W. Adamczak, 2008). In Lower Silesia region it’s 93,9 %.
Figure 1.2 Ownership of forests in Lower Silesia (State Forests Agency - Lower Silesia Department, 2003) ,
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Forests are over all in Poland are approximately 1/3 of the whole country area. Poland forestation (percentage of forested areas comparing to overall area) was 28,9% in 2006 (W. Adamczak, 2008) and now it’s more than 29% (GUS - State Statistic Agency, 2010). In Lower Silesia it’s 29,3%.
“State forests law act” constitutes State Forest Agency as a management body for all forest that belong to the state. Ministry of environment is an organ responsible for control. State Forests Agency consists of regional divisions for each region. Each Regional Division of State Forests Agency is responsible for its own region and manages it according to Regional operational plan for state silvicultural policy (State Forests Agency - Lower Silesia Department, 2003) which is based on National Forestation Programme . Each Regional division consist of subdivisions called “nadleśnictwa” - these units are not divided in the exactly same way as counties. Each of those subdivision runs according to document called “Plan of forest management”.
Figure 1.3 Organizational map of Lower Silesia Regional Division - “nadleśnictwa” and their forestation (W. Adamczak, 2008)
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Forests in Bielawa are being managed by Nadleśnictwo Świdnica.
“Plan of forest management” is a detailed instruction for foresters how to manage forest for next ten years. It has to aim in fulfilling goals for forestry described by (State Forests Law act, 1991 with changes up to 2011):
- maintaining of forests capital and country’s forestation
- protection and maintaining of forest and its ecosystem that are especially valuable for:
- biodiversity
- forest genetic resources
- landscape valour
- possibilities for scientifical exploration
- soil protection, especially in areas where it’s vulnerable for damage
- protection of country’s water resources with special emphasis on areas that are supplying the sources of drinking water
- reasonable level of productivity - wood and other forest products (like f. ex. berries)
Overall acquisition of wood in Poland is sustainable. Each Plan is confirmed by Ministry of environment. Ministerial agreement contains amount of wood in cubic meters, that can be acquired from forests.
1.3 Environmental policy and issues
Important thing to mention is that acquisition of wood is not the most important goal in forestry policy. Biodiversity and wild animals habitats upkeep - concerning especially endangered species - are the top priority.
Regulations are made in separate law act called “Protection of nature act” and other regulations - f. ex. EU regulations, which oblige Ministry of environment to take it into consideration.
There are few forms of protection that apply to different areas:
- National Parks
- Landscape Parks
- Nature Reserves
- Protected Landscape Areas
- Nature 2000 sites (agreed in EU accession treaty) regulated by EU directives:
- Habitats directive
- Birds directive
- Ecological Sites
- Geological Documentary sites
- Nature and Landscape complexes
Other form of protection are so called Natural Monuments, which are single standing objects (mostly old trees) that are situated in regular areas.
Figure 1.4 - Areas of special protection near Bielawa (State Forest Agency, 2011)
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Figure 1.5 - Nature 2000 in Lower Silesia Region (Lower Silesia - regional administration, 2007)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the administrative division of Poland?
Since 1999, Poland has a three-level administrative division: voivodeships (regions), powiats (counties), and gminas (communes/municipalities). Major cities often have both gmina and powiat status. Poland has 16 voivodeships, 379 powiats (including 65 cities with powiat status), and 2478 gminas.
Where is Bielawa located?
Bielawa is a small town located in the Lower Silesia region of Poland, specifically in Dzierżoniów county, near the Czech Republic border. It's approximately 55 km from Wrocław, the region's capital.
What are the geographical features of Bielawa?
Bielawa is situated in the Owl Mountains, part of the Central Sudetes mountains. The altitude ranges from 280 m to 964 m above sea level.
What is the forestry policy in Lower Silesia?
Forestry in Poland is regulated by the "State Forests Law act," which establishes the State Forest Agency as responsible for managing state-owned forests (78.3% of all forests in Poland and 93.9% in Lower Silesia). The Ministry of Environment oversees the agency. Management is guided by regional operational plans based on the National Forestation Programme.
What is the forestation rate in Poland and Lower Silesia?
In Poland, forests cover approximately one-third of the country. Poland's forestation rate was 28.9% in 2006 and is now more than 29%. In Lower Silesia, it is 29.3%.
How are forests managed in Poland?
The State Forest Agency manages state-owned forests through regional divisions (one for each region). Each division consists of subdivisions called "nadleśnictwa," which operate according to a "Plan of Forest Management." This plan provides detailed instructions for foresters for the next ten years, aligning with the goals outlined in the State Forests Law act.
What are the goals of forest management in Poland?
The primary goals of forest management include maintaining forest capital and forestation, protecting and maintaining forest ecosystems (biodiversity, genetic resources, landscape, soil and water protection), and ensuring a reasonable level of productivity (wood and other forest products).
What are the environmental protection measures in place?
Several forms of environmental protection exist, including National Parks, Landscape Parks, Nature Reserves, Protected Landscape Areas, and Nature 2000 sites (regulated by EU directives). Other forms include Ecological Sites, Geological Documentary sites, Nature and Landscape complexes, and Natural Monuments.
What are "Protection Forests"?
Protection forests are a specific category of forests defined in Article 15 of the State Forests Law act, designated for specific protection purposes not necessarily related to environmental acts.
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- Lukasz Niedzwiecki (Author), 2011, Supply of Bielawa with woody biofuel from forest and SRC, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207941
