In recent decades, the concept of marginal land has gained increasing interest under growing land use pressure owing to the increased demand for biomass for non-food purposes in biobased industries. In short, we have observed the phenomena of the ‘biomass dilemma’, whereby industrial crops are utilised for purposes such as energy production instead of consumption. Evidently this is controversial with the unsolved issue of starvation – yet energy crops such as Arundo can provide a solution.
Marginal land availability: the study
The approach utilised by the study built on the JRC work to assess Areas of Natural Constraints (ANCs) and other territory evaluation systems for agronomic suitability. The outcomes define the location and amount of marginal land area across Europe and what the core features are in terms of biophysical and socio-economic restraints. This categorisation functions as a foundation for evolving sustainable best-practice routes for industrial cropping in Europe on marginal lands.
Biophysical features have been utilised for the categorisation of severe restraints; 6 clustered factors that can be further divided into 18 single factors:
- Adverse climate (low temperature and/or dryness)
- Excessive wetness (Limited soil drainage or excess soil moisture)
- Low soil fertility (acidity, alkalinity or low soil organic matter)
- Adverse chemical conditions (Salinity or contaminations)
- Poor rooting conditions (low rootable soil volume or unfavourable soil texture)
- Adverse terrain conditions (steep slopes, inundation risks)
An adjustment in the map was done by eliminating zones where natural constraints were counteracted to allow for highly productive and efficient agricultural activities. Such terrestrial development actions involved fertilisation, irrigation, drainage and creation of terraces.
Results: what percent of the land in Europe is marginal?
The research concluded that in total 29% of the agricultural area is marginal in EU-28. The most common is the rooting limitations, with 12% of the agricultural area after correction for improvement. This is followed by adverse climate and excessive soil moisture occurring in respectively 11% and 8% of the agricultural land. The largest share of marginal lands is defined by one of the 6 clustered limitations, while in a much smaller share multiple limitations occur.
Overall, there are plenty of regions that can be planted with energy crops, especially Arundo that can withstand the unfavourable circumstances. Whilst other crops may struggle, giant reed provides promising and profitable yields even on weaker quality soils – that can be acquired much easier and with fewer capital.
Source: Elbersen et al. (2018) Mapping marginal land potentially available for industrial crops in Europe
