Projection Systems in Europe and North America: Concepts and Approaches

Abstract

Many scenario analyses have been conducted to assess woody biomass availability, although the variety of projection systems used in different countries makes the comparison of results difficult. Understanding the projection systems used for scenario analysis and their limitations is crucial for better interpretations of results. This chapter presents an analysis of the structure of the projection systems from Europe and North America that are described in the second part of the book. The chapter describes these projection systems in terms of the applicable ranges of the tools, the modelling philosophies and model types, the temporal scales, and the external variables that drive the systems. A detailed description of each projection system is found in Part II.