Soils are currently under increasing pressure to meet the requirements of an expanding human population.
Changes in soil use in agriculture and forestry, associated
to food and/or energy production, could be at the
origin of major changes in soil quality, including fertility,
productivity and ecological functions (Dimitriou
et al. 2009). The current decrease in fossil fuel resources
has led to diversifying energy sources and using soils
previously dedicated to food production for energy and
raw material production. Poplar and willow short rotation
coppice (SRC) is a plant production for energy
purposes of increasing interest that was developed in
North America and European countries such as Sweden
and Poland 40 years ago (Faasch and Patenaude 2012).
The SRC cultivation technique devoted to wood chip
production was only recently introduced in France (in
the years 2000) (Rowe et al. 2011). Fast-growing woody
species (such as willows) are grown for 20 years and
harvested every 3 to 6 years. Several studies addressed
the ecological impact of SRC on wildlife habitats and
landscapes (Baum et al. 2006, 2009).