Carbon stocks in bamboo ecosystems worldwide: Estimates and uncertainties

Hsieh

et al. 2017

Ecological Research

The aggressive expansion of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest into adjacent ecosystems which might alter the carbon balance replacement, has been noted recently in East Asian countries such as Taiwan. Moso bamboo has a biennial growth cycle that causes significant inter‐annual variations in net primary productivity (NPP) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP). To our knowledge, only one study has investigated NPP covering biennial cycles in a Moso bamboo forest. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clarify the NPP and NEP in a Moso bamboo forest in Taiwan by considering above‐ and below‐ground processes over a 4‐year experimental period. The estimated NPP and NEP showed considerable inter‐annual variations (coefficient of variation of 39 and 79%, respectively). Averaged over the 4 years, the NPP and NEP were 8.86 ± 3.46 and 4.32 ± 3.35 Mg C ha−1 year−1, respectively, which were within the ranges (6.53–14.36 and 3.59–7.98 Mg C ha−1 year−1, respectively) reported for Moso bamboo forests in East Asian countries. A global comparison of NPP and NEP among forest ecosystems using data from published literature indicated that the estimated NPP and NEP in the present study, as well as those in Moso bamboo forests from East Asian countries, were within the upper range of the values reported for other forest ecosystem. The results indicate that Moso bamboo forests may have high potential as a carbon sink among forests ecosystems.

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests as a significant carbon sink? A case study based on 4‐year measurements in central Taiwan

Hsieh

et al. 2017

Ecological Research

“…Data collected according to our proposed bamboo protocol will facilitate multi‐site meta‐analyses to advance our understanding of global patterns in bamboo diversity and their role in forest dynamics (Yuen et al, ). The standardized inclusion of bamboos is especially important given the strong interaction between human‐driven (deforestation, etc.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, bamboo is an increasingly valued commodity and bamboo plantations are expanding in tropical regions (FAO, ; Stokes et al, ). A better understanding of the role of bamboo in forest dynamics, achieved by long‐term monitoring of bamboo density, is crucial to develop efficient forest management and conservation strategies (Bystriakova et al, ; Campanello, Montti, MacDonagh, & Goldstein, ; Rockwell, Kainer, d'Oliveira, Staudhammer, & Baraloto, ; Yuen et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fibrous roots produced by bamboo rhizomes enhance and facilitate water uptake (Cochard, Ewers, & Tyree, ; Saha, Holbrook, Montti, Goldstein, & Cardinot, ; Yang, Zhang, Sun, Goldstein, & Cao, ). Rhizomes of some bamboo species are hypothesized to transport water and nutrients horizontally among ramets; however, rhizome connectivity between culms, and its implications for bamboo survival, community dynamics, and ecosystem functioning has not been studied in depth (Yuen, Fung, & Ziegler, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Guidelines for including bamboos in tropical ecosystem monitoring

et al. 2020

Bamboos are a diverse and ecologically important group of plants that have the potential to modulate the structure, composition, and function of forests. With the aim of increasing the visibility and representation of bamboo in forest surveys, and to standardize techniques across ecosystems, we present a protocol for bamboo monitoring in permanent research plots. A bamboo protocol is necessary because ing the average dimensions or (b) measuring all culms. With data from 1-ha plots in the Peruvian Andes, we show that both approaches provide very similar estimates of bamboo basal area. We suggest including all mature culms rooted inside change the to each plot from all woody bamboo species with maximum diameters ≥1 cm.We also present recommendations on how to collect vouchers of bamboo species for identification. Data collected according to our proposed protocols will increase our understanding of regional and global patterns in bamboo diversity and the role of bamboo in forest dynamics.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

“…Bamboo, a monocotyledon plant, sometimes referred to as a giant woody grass, is receiving increasing interest in the scientific community (Song et al 2011;Shinohara and Otsuki 2015;Yuen et al 2017). In Asian countries, the area covered by bamboo has expanded significantly in the past 50 years (Yiping et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Difference between the transpiration rates of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests in a subtropical climate in Taiwan

Laplace

Komatsu

Tseng

et al. 2017

Ecological Research

Bamboo forests have been expanding rapidly in Asian countries for the past 50 years. Whether natural or artificial, this expansion involves the replacement of other vegetation types by bamboo, which could impact the local water cycle. Previous studies in Japan have reported that bamboo forests have higher transpiration than coniferous forests under temperate climates, but it is unknown whether this finding applies to subtropical climates. Thus, we examined whether a Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest exhibits higher transpiration in a subtropical climate. We used the sap‐flux method to estimate the stand transpiration (E) of Moso bamboo and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests in Taiwan. As was observed in the Japanese studies, annual E for bamboo (478 mm) was higher than that for cedar (122 mm), although we found a difference in the seasonality of E between the Taiwanese and Japanese sites. Canopy conductance (Gc) for bamboo was higher than that for cedar in Taiwan, which was reported previously for Japan. Gc for bamboo in Taiwan was comparable to that in Japan, despite a difference in the leaf area index (LAI). Gc for cedar in Taiwan was lower than that in Japan. This difference in Gc between Taiwan and Japan corresponded to differences in the sapwood area and LAI. These findings suggest a significant change in E and, therefore, the terrestrial water and carbon cycle, regardless of different climates, when Japanese cedar forests are replaced by Moso bamboo forests.