Managing Bamboo for Carbon Sequestration, Bamboo Stem and Bamboo Shoots

Abstract

Bamboo forests are fast growing and renewable resources, and their carbon sequestration potential has attracted wide attention. Bamboo can be used for multiple purposes. Land expectation value (LEV) was estimated for various moso bamboo management models using the Faustmann–Hartman formula. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted to examine the impacts of carbon policy, interest rates, stem and shoots prices, and labour costs on LEV and management model choice. Two moso bamboo management models, one for stem production and another for stem and shoots production, were compared. Under current market conditions the estimated LEV per ha of stem bamboo plantations and for stem and shoots bamboo plantations were 48,454 and 51,292 CNY (Chinese Yuan. USD 1 = CNY 6.46 in year 2011) in the baseline year of 2011 respectively, and annual above-ground carbon sequestration potential of mature stands was 4.30 and 3.38 tons per ha, respectively. If carbon credits were available to growers, the LEV would increases and it seems likely farmers will be induced to expand the moso bamboo forested area, and convert some stem and shoots bamboo plantation into stem bamboo plantation, leading to greater carbon sequestration intensity. The LEV for stem and shoots bamboo plantations appears more sensitive to labour cost, while LEV for stem bamboo plantations is more sensitive to the price of stems. Low interest loans provided by the government to farmers or a carbon emission reduction credit trading system may help promote improved moso bamboo management.