Bamboo Community Research Articles

Competitive ability of dwarf bamboo (Sasa borealis) through long‐term clonal growth in mixed dwarf bamboo communities in the understory of a temperate deciduous forest

AbstractWe investigated the clonal competition of three co‐occurring dwarf bamboo species, Sasa borealis, Sasa nipponica, and Sasaella ramosa, for 32 years in an old‐growth beech forest in central Japan. A study plot (10 m × 24 m) was established to examine the culm dynamics of these species. Sasa borealis had a competitive advantage over the other species. It invaded the other bamboo populations at a rate of 0.84–0.89 m/y from 1988 to 2020, while S. nipponica invaded at a rate of 0.17 m/y until 2003. After that, S. nipponica started to retreat at a rate of 0.85 m/y along with the invasion of S. borealis until 2020. The invasion rate of S. borealis did not change before and after the competition with S. nipponica. Our results showed that it would take 13.9–14.8 years from S. borealis invasion for S. nipponica to disappear. The density of S. ramosa decreased but it did not disappear from the plot because it retreated at a slow rate of 0.08 m/y. Sasa borealis almost achieved its potential maximum culm density, but the other two bamboo species did not. If stable conditions were maintained, S. borealis would continue to invade, dominate, and eliminate the other bamboo species. The ecological traits of dwarf bamboo species, such as the maximum density, size, and longevity of culms, are good indicators for assessing their competitiveness. Our findings demonstrate that dwarf bamboo species are actually replaced by another bamboo species in the forest understory during a long period.

Diversity of Bamboo Species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) in The Bukit Kinai Area, Bengkayang Regency

Bamboos are one of the plant species that make up forest vegetation that has many benefits both economically, ecologically and socio-culturally. Environmental quality can be assessed using data on the diversity of bamboo species. This study aims to determine the composition and level of diversity of bamboo species in the Bukit Kinai region. Determination of sampling locations using purposive sampling method with double plots. This research was conducted in January-April 2023 in the Bukit Kinai area of Setanduk Village, Capkala District, Bengkayang Regency. Seven bamboo species from four different genera were identified, namely Bambusa vulgaris Schrad Ex. JC Wendl, Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. F) Backer, Gigantochloa hasskarliana (Kurz) Backer, Schizostachyum blumei Nees, S. brachyladum (Kurz ex Munro) Kurz, S. lima (Blanco) Merrill, and S. mampouw Widjaja. The highest Frequency, Density and INP values were found in the species Gigantochloa hasskarliana (Kurz) Backer, which were 0.85, 261.25 clumps/ha, and 110%, respectively. Low species richness (R = 1.059), low species diversity (H = 0.917), and moderate species evenness and species dominance (E = 0.471 and C = 0.555) were observed in the Bukit Kinai region. Based on this study, the bamboo community in the Bukit Kinai area was in an unstable condition so that its environmental quality can be categorized as poor.

Effects of the Bamboo Communities on Microclimate and Thermal Comfort in Subtropical Climates

Urban greening is the most effective way to regulate the microclimate environment and thermal discomfort. However, despite being an important type of vegetation, relatively few studies have investigated the effect of bamboo on microclimate characteristics and thermal comfort. In this study, the microclimate characteristics and the differences in the thermal comfort provided by common bamboo communities in East China were investigated in summer and winter, and the effects of canopy structure characteristics on microclimate and thermal comfort were analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in microclimate between bamboo communities and the control check in summer, but the differences in air temperature in winter were not obvious. In the daytime during summer, the maximum daily average temperature of the bamboo community decreased by 2.6 °C, and the maximum temperature–humidity index (THI) decreased by 1.1 °C. In the daytime during winter, the maximum daily average temperature increased by 0.5 °C and the maximum THI increased by 0.8 °C. Among the different bamboo communities, Sinobambusa tootsik var. laeta and Pseudosasa amabilis had better effects on improving microclimate and thermal comfort, while the effects of Phyllostachys nigra and Phyllostachys heterocycla ‘Pubescens’ were relatively small. Aspects of canopy structure, especially leaf area index and canopy coverage, had the greatest influence on the microclimate environment, while air temperature made the greatest contribution to thermal comfort. The goal of our study is to quantify the data to confirm the role of bamboo in improving urban climate problems and human comfort and to further select the appropriate bamboo species for urban green spaces and to utilize the ecological benefits of bamboo to optimize the human living environment.

Bamboo Design Training for hotel and culinary amenities at the Bamboo Community of Sukabumi Regency

Purpose: Bamboo is an economic potential that is not only derived from the bamboo product itself but can also be expanded into an attractive natural tourist spot. Unfortunately, the potential of bamboo as a product is often focused on the functional and forgets the unique creations for the product that can increase the value of the product itself. The training conducted between Pelita Harapan University and Bamboo Community Dunia Bambu Sejahtera (DBS) aims to provide understanding and knowledge related to creative bamboo designs to meet the market for hotel and culinary amenities. Methodology/approach: The training is done by dividing the group. Each group is taught various bamboo creations. During the training, participants were also given the opportunity to discuss about bamboo and the potential for creative creations that can be made to attract market attention. Results/findings: Training participants gain additional knowledge about bamboo and its unique and creative bamboo creations. The results of the evaluation before and after the training showed that the participants felt that they had gained knowledge that could be integrated into making bamboo crafts. Conclusion: With this training, it is hoped that the craftsmen can improve their weaving skills which in turn will have an impact on increasing product sales and the income of the craftsmen themselves

Quantifying the Impact of Canopy Structural Characteristics on Soil Temperature Variations in Different Bamboo Communities

Soil temperature plays an important role in soil respiration, which is related to the atmospheric carbon cycle. In addition to its own physical and chemical properties, soil temperature is also influenced by external environmental factors, including plants. Therefore, it is relevant to explore the relationship between plant characteristics and soil temperature. This study was conducted in Hangzhou, China. The influence of canopy structural characteristics of bamboo communities on soil temperature was investigated in detail by means of field measurements. In summer, the canopy structure of bamboo communities reduced the soil temperature by up to 3.0–3.8 °C, 2.4–3.4 °C, and 2.3–3.0 °C at 5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm, respectively. In winter, the canopy structure of bamboo communities increased soil temperature by up to 0.1–0.4 °C, 0.1–0.6 °C, and 0.2–0.7 °C at 5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm, respectively. The leaf area index and canopy cover significantly affected the soil temperature, while the effect of the sky view factor was minimal compared to other factors. We also discovered that soil temperatures at different depths interact and are influenced by the air temperature. These findings provide a more reasonable bamboo canopy plan to improve the urban environment effectively.

Pharmacognosy, physicochemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacological and ethnomedicinal profiles of Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd. seeds: a scoping review

Bamboo-plants popularly known for their industrial uses are now been in attention for their therapeutical as well as food/nutraceutical utilities. The plant is intricately associated with humans from time immemorial. Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.)Willd. is an important species among the bamboo community. Research works on this species of bamboo have yielded crucial data regarding its phyto-constituents and biochemical parameters. Seeds of B. Arundinacea are known to possess several therapeutical as well as nutritional properties and they are traditionally used by many tribal populations across the globe. The present review article is an attempt to critically analyse the comprehensive information from the research works carried out on pharmacognostical and physicochemical profiles, to evaluate the phytochemical , pharmacological and ethnomedicinal properties of the seeds of B. arundinacea. This attempt of review revealed the characteristic pharmacognostical as well as physicochemical features possessed by these seeds. profiles. The phytochemical analysis revealed vital information regarding the bio-constituents present in the seeds of B. arundinacea which implies their possible therapeutic potential. The bioactivities of some constituents present in the seeds can ensure the possibility of utilizating these seeds in the manufacturing of medicines, in future. Though the seeds are in use as food and medicine by several tribes since ancient times, very few researches were done on their bio-ingredients and their activities. Therefore, the studies in future should be oriented to further explain the biological activities of the bio-constituents present in the seeds of B. arundinacea.

Reduced tree density and basal area in Andean forests are associated with bamboo dominance

Forest structure and composition play an essential role in determining the carbon storage capacity of tropical forests. Andean forests, with great potential for carbon accumulation, include large expanses of high-density woody bamboo communities. Woody bamboos can potentially alter forest structure, composition and dynamics and thus can affect carbon storage capacity; however, they are commonly excluded from forest monitoring and modelling. With the aim of documenting patterns of bamboo abundance and disentangling its association with forest structure, we carried out a bamboo census in seven 1-ha long-term forest monitoring plots situated across a large elevation gradient (1000–3600 m a.s.l.) in the Peruvian Andes. We determined that bamboo is a dominant plant group in the study area. In every plot, bamboos were the most common genera in terms of number of stems, and in two of the plots bamboo species were among those with the greatest basal area. We used a combination of Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to hypothesize a causal framework and determine the direction and size of the effects of bamboo abundance (basal area) on number of individual trees, total tree basal area, mean tree basal area, mean tree growth rate and tree mortality rate. We found an overall negative association between bamboo abundance and total tree basal area driven mainly by reduced tree density (directly and indirectly mediated by an increase in tree mortality). However, the decrease in tree density and the increase in tree mortality are also associated with a small increase in tree diameter (mean tree basal area). Overall, the negative association between bamboo abundance and tree basal area suggests a lower biomass accumulation and thus a lower carbon storage capacity of trees in Andean forests where bamboo is dominant. Our results, which show the importance of bamboo in determining forest function, highlight the need for including bamboo in monitoring efforts and modeling studies.

Nilai-Nilai Nasionalisme Dalam Novel Cut Nyak Dhien Karya M.H. Skelely Lulofs

The novel revolves about a woman named Cut Nyak Dhien, who is often called "Cut Nyak". She is a prominent noble lady in Aceh. Her first husband Teuku Ibrahim Lamnga died in the battlefield, the Acehnese call him "Syahid", because he fought in the war with the Dutch Colonials to defend his homeland of Islam. After her husband was martyred in the war with the Dutch, Cut Nyak Dhien remarried with Teuku Umar Djohan Pahlawan. Furthermore, her second husband, Teuku Umar, was also killed by the Dutch. The death of her two beloved husbands added to her hatred to the Dutch Colonials. For Cut Nyak, the Dutch not only had seized her homeland, but also degraded the dignity of the Acehnese, and harassed her religion. The problem of this research is what nationalism values are contained in Cut Nyak Dhien novel, written by M.H. Skelely Lulofs. The source of data of this research is Cut Nyak Dhien novel, written by M.H. Skelely Lulofs. It was published by Bamboo Community in 2007, which consists of 369 pages. The descriptive qualitative method was used for the purpose of this study. Data collection technique was conducted by analyzing the values of nationalism in Cut Nyak Dhien novel written by M.H. Skelely Lulofs. The results of data analysis shows that there are many nationalism values contained in Cut Nyak Dhien novel which are useful for people's lives such as the citizenship value, romantic value, cultural value, state value and religious value.

Vegetation and Climate History of the Harenna Forest (Bale Mountains, Ethiopia) in the Holocene

The results of spore-pollen analysis and analysis of non-pollen palynomorphs of the Katcha zoogenic deposit, located in the Harenna Forest (Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia) are presented. It is revealed that bamboo monodominant communities have inhabited areas at altitudes of 2700–2800 m above sea level for at least the past 6500 years. A trend towards a decrease in bamboo communities due to climate aridization in the last 5000 years has been revealed. It is established that active human impact on these ecosystems began 1000 years ago.

Cedar and bamboo plantations alter structure and diversity of the soil bacterial community from a hardwood forest in subtropical mountain

Afforestation results in changes of vegetation and soil properties, which in turn could affect the soil bacteria that play critical roles in the biogeochemical cycles in forest ecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the impacts of afforestation on soil bacterial communities. Using the barcoded pyrosequencing technique, the phylogenetic structure and diversity of the soil bacterial communities in moso bamboo and Japanese cedar plantations were compared with that of an adjacent natural hardwood forest. A total of 43,097 bacterial pyrosequences were obtained from soil samples. The majority of these sequences were classified as either Acidobacteria or α-Proteobacteria, but the relative abundance of Acidobacteria in bamboo soils was much lower than that in the other two communities. The sequences related to the α-Proteobacteria were dominated by the orders Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales and were more abundant in the bamboo community. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis of the operational taxonomy units (OTUs) and the distribution of some of the most abundant OTUs revealed distinct bacterial community structures among the three sites. These differences were correlated to soil acidity and C/N ratio, with soil acidity affecting the distribution of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, α- and β-Proteobacteria. Based on Shannon diversity indices and richness and rarefaction analyses, the diversity of soil communities decreased in the order bamboo plantation>cedar plantation>hardwood forest. These findings suggest that afforestation and subsequent management of a natural hardwood forest causes differences in soil bacterial community structure and increases in diversity.

A Review on Major Types of Bamboo Communities in China

China was extremely rich in bamboo resources, many species were selected as representatives of the genus or the genus itself may serve as the type for classification, such as the formations of Dendrocalamus membranaceus.The paper summarized that major types in China were cool temperate bamboo forest, warm temperate bamboo forests and hot bamboo forests. The most common and typical types with high economic value had been included, which were Phyllostachys edulis, Fargesia spp, Neosinocalamus affinis, Dendrocalamus membranaceus.

The Legitimacy of Bamboo Certification: Unpacking the Controversy and the Implications for a “Treelike” Grass

Bamboo is emerging as an important substitute for wood and wood fiber. Although bamboo can be assimilated within existing forest certification mechanisms, there is growing controversy among experts regarding the applicability and efficacy of adopting such instruments. Through an accumulation of fieldwork, interviews, and discussions among experts between 2005 and 2014, this article analyzes the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, as well as proposals arising within the bamboo community. Through the lens of legitimacy, it analyzes stakeholders' views of the input legitimacy (processes) and output legitimacy (effectiveness) of FSC bamboo certification. It highlights the dissatisfaction with the third-party model for smallholders, as well the lack of ecological management gains within the FSC system. However, currently the bamboo communities of practice are divided about ways to proceed regarding creating alternative approaches. At a macro level, it highlights current challenges regarding the need to facilitate new resources into already existing institutions.

秦岭大熊猫栖息地巴山木竹生物量

Bashania fargesii is one of the middle-large amphipodial bamboos,which distributes mainly in the deciduous broad-leaved forests or coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests in the elevation of 1100—1900 m in Qinling Mountains.The bamboo(Bashania fargesii) is the principal food source for Qinling giant pandas in winter and spring.The giant pandas′ survival and activity are associated with growth status,quantity and spatial pattern of Bashania fargesii.The bamboo biomass is crucial in exploring Qinling giant pandas′ habitats selection,but also in providing guidelines for the conservation actions of Qinling giant pandas.However,there is lack of empirical research on the spatial distribution characteristics of Bashania fargesii biomass.This study was aimed to investigate the site effects on Bashania fargesii biomass distribution.The key factors and the suitable site condition for the bamboo growth were assessed. The bamboo biomass,height,basal diameter,population,and density with different site conditions(including elevation,slope,slope position,slope aspect,and canopy closure) were measured in 54 sample plots of giant pandas habitat in Foping,Huangbaiyuan and Pingheliang natural reserves.These natural reserves are located on south-facing slope in the middle of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province.In this research,the effects of different site conditions on the bamboo biomass were analyzed by using the methods of t test and multiple regression with SPSS software.Our results show that the distribution of the bamboo varied regularly by site factors as follows:(1) The bamboo biomass varied significantly in different investigated areas.In this study,the rich biomass density and favorable growth status were found in Foping and Huangbaiyuan natural reserves,while the poor biomass density and less favorable growth status in Pingheliang natural reserves.This was probably caused by the different hydrothermal conditions and characteristics of the community structure of the different investigated areas.(2) The bamboo biomass changed with elevation.The good bamboo communities were located between the elevation of 1500 m and 1700 m,while the bamboo communities were not observed below the elevation of 1300 m and above 1700 m.(3) The bamboo biomass decreased with the increase of slope,and the steep slope was hard for its growth compared with other slopes.(4) The upper slope was difficult for the bamboo growth.The biomass difference was insignificant between the mid and lower slope.(5) The effect of slope aspect on the bamboo biomass was insignificant.Both of the slope aspects were suitable for the bamboo growth.(6) There was a remarkable correlation between the bamboo biomass and the canopy closure.When canopy closure of deciduous broad-leaved forests or coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests was over 0.6,the bamboo grew feeble. In conclusion,the dominant site factors influencing Bashania fargesii biomass were slop position and canopy closure.The bamboo forests tend to grow relatively tall with thick stems and rich biomass on mid or lower and gentle slopes in deciduous broad-leaved forests or coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests with medium canopy closure between the elevation of 1500 m and 1700 m.These areas seem to be the most suitable habitats for the giant pandas in winter and spring.

Risk factors affecting the probability of damage by sika deer in plantation forests in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

Using a generalized linear mixed model approach, we determined the most important risk factors affecting the probability of damage by sika deer in a forest plantation in Japan. Candidate risk factors included tree species, stand age, peripheral dwarf bamboo community, topographical factors, snow depth, and human disturbance factors. Based on this model, we developed a risk map of forest damage. The model indicated that the most important risk factor was stand age, followed by tree species and maximum snow depth. Our predictive model has practical use due to its high classification accuracy (83.9%). To decrease damage from sika deer, an afforestation plan that incorporates these factors should be implemented. Because it is based on common, forest GIS data that have recently been compiled by several local governments in Japan, our modeling method of deer damage can easily be adapted to other areas.

木曽川中流域における植生変遷と特定外来生物オオキンケイギクの分布特性

In Japan, Coreopsis lanceolata has been invading riverbed vegetation and is designated as an invasive alien species. A study regarding its occurrence and the vegetation transition in the riverbed of Kiso River was conducted. Comparing the vegetation maps of 1979, 1996 and 2006 revealed that over time, the area of the wet grassland had decreased. However, the forest area and bamboo/dwarf bamboo community had increased. Contrastingly, the area of the dry grassland tends to change little and is sustained. C. lanceolata occurred in 70% of the area of the dry grassland and 50% of the area of shrubs in 2006. C. lanceolata occurred frequently in the Artemisia capillaris-Anaphalis margaritacea subsp. yedoensis community and Zoysia japonica-Potentilla chinensis community in 2006. This study reports regarding some types of the dry grassland including the communities with the specific native plants that was sustained for a long time and is invaded easily by C. lanceolata.

Predicting chronosequential changes in carbon stocks of pachymorph bamboo communities in slash-and-burn agricultural fallow, northern Lao People's Democratic Republic

In northern Lao People's Democratic Republic, rising human population has drastically reduced the fallow period of slash-and-burn agriculture which has led to a considerable decrease in the carbon stock in these communities. We estimated chronosequential changes in the communities' carbon stocks, and established the relationship between the fallow period and fallow-period-average carbon stocks in three carbon pools of bamboo-dominated communities in hilly areas of the Luang Prabang Province, northern Lao People's Democratic Republic. Based on measurements by destructive sampling, we devised a model and root-to-shoot ratios for estimating bamboo biomass. In six secondary plant communities established after slash-and-burn cropping, we estimated community biomass using the above model and others, and measured deadwood and litter stocks. The communities' biomass and deadwood significantly increased with time after the last cropping and the former reached about 100 Mg ha−1 after 15 years, whereas litter stocks did not show significant trends over time. Extending the fallow period from 2 to 5 years would increase fallow-period-average carbon stock from 14.2 to 25.1 Mg C ha−1. The overstory height was significantly correlated with biomass, deadwood, and litter carbon stocks of these communities. Based on our findings, changes in a community's carbon stocks can be estimated using the changes in overstory height, which should be taken into account in future studies to reduce uncertainty in estimating carbon stocks in tropical ecosystems.

Silicon's organic pool and biological cycle in moso bamboo community of Wuyishan Biosphere Reserve.

Biomineralization of Si by plants into phytolith formation and precipitation of Si into clays during weathering are two important processes of silicon's biogeochemical cycle. As a silicon-accumulating plant, the widely distributed and woody Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens (moso bamboo) contributes to storing silicon by biomineralization and, thus, prevents eutrophication of nearby waterbodies through silicon's erosion of soil particles.A study on the organic pool and biological cycle of silicon (Si) of the moso bamboo community was conducted in Wuyishan Biosphere Reserve, China. The results showed that: (1) the standing crop of the moso bamboo community was 13355.4 g/m2, of which 53.61%, 45.82% and 0.56% are represented by the aboveground and belowground parts of moso bamboos, and the understory plants, respectively; (2) the annual net primary production of the community was 2887.1 g/(m2 x a), among which the aboveground part, belowground part, litterfalls, and other fractions, accounted for 55.86%, 35.30%, 4.50% and 4.34%, respectively; (3) silicon concentration in stem, branch, leaf, base of stem, root, whip of bamboos, and other plants was 0.15%, 0.79%, 3.10%, 4.40%, 7.32%, 1.52% and 1.01%, respectively; (4) the total Si accumulated in the standing crop of moso bamboo community was 448.91 g/m2, with 99.83% of Si of the total community stored in moso bamboo populations; (5) within moso bamboo community, the annual uptake, retention, and return of Si were 95.75, 68.43, 27.32 g/(m2 x a), respectively; (6) the turnover time of Si, which is the time an average atom of Si remains in the soil before it is recycled into the trees or shrubs, was 16.4 years; (7) the enrichment ratio of Si in the moso bamboo community, which is the ratio of the mean concentration of nutrients in the net primary production to the mean concentration of nutrients in the biomass of a community, was 0.64; and lastly, (8) moso bamboo plants stored about 1.26x10(10) kg of silicon in the organic pool made up by the moso bamboo forests in the subtropical area of China.

EFFECTS OF FARGESIA DENUDATA DENSITY ON SEASONAL CHANGES IN LITTER NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS AND THEIR POTENTIAL RETRANSLOCATION

Dwarf bamboo (Fargesia denudata), a staple food of the giant panda, is the dominant synusia of the forest ecosystem in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, which plays an important role in the maintenance of forest ecosystem structure and function. The seasonal changes of nutrients in bamboo litter and nutrient retranslocation is one of the most profound ecological processes in the forest system. The seasonal change of nutrients in bamboo litter and nutrient retranslocation is regulated by the density of the bamboo stand as well as by biotic and abiotic factors. Although there have been a number of studies on nutrient cycling in bamboo forests, the effects of the bamboo density has not been investigated. The influence of bamboo density on the dynamics on litterfall, nutrient concentrations in bamboo litter, the differences in nutrient concentrations between litter and fresh leaves, and potential nutrient retranslocation were studied in three bamboo communities with different densities (D_1 with (220±11) stems·m -2, D_2 with (140±7) stems·m -2, and D_3 with (80±4) stems·m -2) beneath a bamboo-fir (Picea purpurea) forest. Plots were chosen that had similar slope, aspect, soil parent material and texture, tree canopy, etc. Bamboo litter was collected in each stand and fresh leaves collected over a growing period from May to October, 2003, and nutrient concentrations (C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg) analyzed. The results indicated that litterfall production of bamboo increased with stem density during the growing period. The concentrations of C, N, P and K in litter decreased with stem density, but Ca and Mg showed the opposite pattern. It was found that N, P and K concentrations were lower in litter than in fresh leaves, increased from May to July, and decreased after July. Carbon concentrations in both litter and fresh leaves did not vary with the stem densities and month. Calcium concentrations were higher in litter than in fresh leaves over the growing season, but there was no significant monthly variation. Litter had the lowest Mg concentrations in July (during the exponential growth period) whereas fresh leaves showed the opposite pattern. No significant monthly differences in nutrients were found among the three communities. The potential retranslocation capacity of P was strongly regulated by stem density, but N and K retranslocation was not influenced by stem density. The potential retranslocation capacity of N, P and K showed the ranked order as KNP. The retranslocation of C in bamboo was not significantly different among the three bamboo communities. The accumulation of Ca in litter increased with stem density. The accumulation of Mg in litter increased with stem density, but the retranslocation capacity decreased with stem density. Density, therefore, greatly influenced the seasonal changes of nutrient concentrations in litter and their potential retranslocation capacity.

Elevational diversity of arrow bamboo (Fargesia spathacea) communities on Mount Shennongjia in Central China

Altitudinal changes in species richness, species diversity, species evenness, life-form spectrum, and community structure of arrow bamboo (Fargesia spathacea) were studied within 11 plots from 1 500 m to 2 600 m asl on Mount Shennongjia in Central China. From the lowest plot (1 680 m) to the highest one (2 570 m), vascular plants declined from 30 to 7 species, following a linear model ofY=55.99-1.83X (d.f.=9,F-value=48.64,r 2=0.84,P<0.001); species diversity, reduced from 3.13 to 1.78, following a linear model ofY=4.67–0.10X (d.f.=9,F-value=22.82,r 2=0.72,P=0.001); species evenness varied from 0.83 to 0.99, but presented little relationship to the altitude (r=0.112,P=0.742). In the life-form spectra, with the increase of altitude, the percentage of annual plants (r=0.60), underground bulb perennials (r=0.40), and big trees (r=0.35) tended to increase; shrubs (r=−0.52) and middle-sized trees (r=−0.45) tended to decline; perennial grasses (r=0.04) and semi-shrubs (r=0.03) were not strongly related to the altitudinal gradient. Arrow bamboo communities could be classified into five groups: bamboo under evergreen broad-leaved forest, under deciduous broad-leaved forest, under temperate coniferous forest, under cold-temperate coniferous and mixed forest, and pure bamboo community.

Net production and carbon cycling in a bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens stand

Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houzeau de Lehaie is one of the largest bamboo species with a leptomorph root system in the world. The species originates in China and has been naturalized in the neighboring countries. It was introduced in 1746 into Japan because of the economic value of the young sprouts and culm woods. It escaped from the planted areas and expanded by invading the original vegetation. In order to clarify the basic ecological characteristics of the species, carbon fixation and cycling were determined in a stand of Phyllostachys pubescens. The standing culm density and average DBH in 1991 were 7100 ha(-1) and 11.3 cm, respectively. The above-ground biomass was 116.5 t ha(-1) for culms, 15.5 t ha(-1) for branches, 5.9 t ha(-1) for leaves and 137.9 t ha(-1) in total. The total above-ground biomass was one of the largest among the world's bamboo communities. The biomasses of rhizomes and fine roots were 16.7 t ha(-1) and 27.9 t ha(-1), respectively. Annual soil respiration was 52.3 t CO(2) ha(-1) yr(-1), the highest among those determined in Japan. The gross production was high: 32.8 t C ha(-1) yr(-1). Allocation of the products to its root system was also high: 34% to gross production and 46% to the fluxes out of the leaves into other compartments of the ecosystem. This resulted in the reduced above-ground net production of 18.1 t ha(-1) yr(-1), which fell within the average range of productivity of forests under similar climate conditions. This paper discusses the correspondence of the allocation pattern with the successful range expansion.