Constraints on the availability of marginal land for bioenergy production in southern Sweden

Production of biomass for bioenergy on marginal land has been promoted to decrease the use of non-renewable energy without competing with food production. Previous estimates of marginal land and abandoned farmland in Sweden available for bioenergy production are based on general statistics and assumptions but lack in-depth analyses of potential alternative land-use values. Easily accessible public data only offer a coarse categorization of marginal land that may exaggerate the potential of using it for e.g. bioenergy production. This study assessed the regional availability and socioeconomic setting of marginal land in south Sweden. Our detailed analysis that combines easily accessible data with remote sensing shows that much of the land identified as marginal is already used for biomass production or has alternative use values, suggesting that using this land for additional bioenergy production may hamper other societal values, such as biodiversity conservation, food production, and recreation. In addition, the small size and lower productivity of the marginal land identified indicate challenges for cost-efficient biomass production. Thus, earlier assessments of bioenergy potential from marginal land have most likely overestimated the availability of suitable marginal land. We conclude that estimates of bioenergy production capacity on marginal land need to account for existing and potential alternative use values not included in easily available land use statistics, which limits the marginal land accessibility for renewable energy production. • Marginal land in south Sweden was identified, characterised, and analysed. • Land identified as marginal had several alternative use values. • Use values included food production, recreation, and biodiversity conservation. • Small parcels and low productivity may limit production on marginal land. • Existing bioenergy potentials from marginal land are likely overestimations.