2. On a small scale there is most likely a net loss of energy as a lot of energy must be used for growing the plant mass; biomass is difficult to store in the raw form.
3. One of the disadvantages of biomass is that direct combustion of biomass can be harmful to the environment as burning biomass releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to the warming of the atmosphere and possible climatic change. Burning also creates soot and other air pollutants.
4. Over-collecting wood can destroy forests. Soils bared of trees erode easily and do not hold rainfall. Increased runoff can cause flooding downstream.
5. When plant and animal wastes are used as fuel, they cannot be added to the soil as fertilizer. Soil without fertilizer is depleted of nutrients and produce fewer crops. 6. Biomass has less energy than a similar volume of fossil fuels [8].