Short rotation forestry biomass yield study

Hedgerows and bends (knicks) in Schleswig-Holstein provide critical habitat for wildlife and support biodiversity. Farmers are required to maintain them through regular cutting, which also enables economic use of biomass. The EIP project 'Nachhaltige Biomasse-Nutzung' at Gut Rixdorf, led by the University of Kiel, used drone-based photogrammetry to develop a rule of thumb: one cubic metre of a typical mixed knick yields approximately 1.1 kg of dry matter. This method, validated across 60 knicks over three years, enables accurate biomass estimation for sustainable harvesting. The resulting wood chips can be used for heat generation, offering farmers an economic return while preserving ecological functions. The approach is scalable and applicable to similar field boundary habitats across Germany.