Bamboo and climate change mitigation.

Abstract

Bamboo’s fast growth is one of its many attributes which make it a useful resource for mankind. It is also commonly seen as an indication of a high ability to capture and sequester atmospheric carbon and consequently mitigate climate change, in a similar way that trees do. This report analyses the work carried out to date to explore different aspects of bamboo’s growth, management and use which impact bamboo’s carbon sequestration potential. Using modeling and comparison studies, the findings of this report suggest that bamboo’s carbon sequestration rate can equal or surpasses that of fast-growth trees over short time periods in a new plantation, but only when bamboo is actively managed. A review of studies carried out in China indicates that bamboo is a relatively important carbon store at the ecosystem and national level. While the results of the report underline the gaps in knowledge in the field, they suggest that bamboo forest ecosystems can be leveraged to help mitigate climate change, whilst simultaneously providing other important services for human adaptation and development.