A remote sensing–GIS decision-support framework for mapping woody biochar potential and logistics-constrained application suitability on degraded rural land

Land degradation represents a major environmental challenge affecting soil productivity, ecosystem services, and climate regulation. Biochar application gained increasing attention as a potential response because it can improve soil properties while contributing to carbon dioxide removal. However, its large-scale deployment for restoration purposes remains constrained by the lack of spatially explicit assessments integrating biomass availability, production potential, logistical constraints, and land restoration needs. This study develops a remote sensing–GIS decision-support framework to assess whether the valorization of residual woody biomass could support degraded rural areas restoration. The framework objectives are to estimate biomass residue availability, biochar production potential, and logistics-constrained biochar application suitability on degraded rural land of the Veneto Region (Italy). Approximately 169,200 ha of degraded rural land were identified across the region, while useable residual biomass was estimated at about 10.2 million t yr −1 , corresponding to a theoretical biochar production potential of approximately 3.1 million t yr −1 . Despite this, spatial and logistical constraints strongly limited its effective deployment, with about 2% of degraded land treated even under the most viable scenario. Lower biochar application rates combined with short transportation distances provided the greatest territorial coverage. These findings demonstrate that biomass abundance alone does not determine restoration potential; rather, effective biochar deployment depends on the spatial alignment of biomass supply, production infrastructure, transportation feasibility, and restoration demand. The proposed framework provides a transferable approach for identifying where biomass valorization can realistically contribute to land restoration and complement with circular bioeconomy and restoration measures into regional planning.