WBC-VIII-Vol.4 – Resources – Forestry, Plantations and ... - BambuSC

Abstract
Optimising Inputs for Production of
Bamboo Shoots and timber 2
David J. Midmore
Central Queensland University, Australia
This paper discusses silvicultural management effects on yields of bamboo shoots as a vegetable and for
biomass production by bamboo culms. Bamboo yields respond positively to silvicultural practices, both in terms
of shoot number and yield and biomass production. Fine-tuning is necessary for optimal input:output
relationships. However, data collected on the physical and mechanical properties of culms from different
silvicultural practices are important from a practical perspective: managing clumps for sustainable shoot or
timber productions does not appear to seriously interfere with the intended use of culms. However, differences
between species and treatments that affect the ages of culms at harvest are important considerations when
choosing bamboo production practices
Introduction
Bamboo in a natural and plantation context is commonly harvested for its shoots as a vegetable, and for culms
(poles) as a wood substitute. Global trade to the extent of US$ 7 billion attests to this. As a non-timber forest
product (indeed a misnomer, for it often replaces timber) bamboo does not figure in inventories of forest timber
resources, but its sustainable management is equally as important as that of forests, whether it is harvested for
shoots, for timber, or for both. Sustainable management should be an important goal for natural and plantation
stands of bamboo, yet surprisingly little research has been directed towards defining appropriate guidelines to
stakeholders in the bamboo industry, an industry that accesses c. 40 Mha, or 1% of global forest area (FAO
2005). The sustainable management of the bamboo resource is not only relevant to the tangible products of
sustained shoot and culm harvests, but also for the sustained provision of important ecosystem services such as
carbon sequestration, erosion containment, and local climate regulation (Zhou et al. 2005). Unregulated
exploitation of stands is a major reason for degradation of bamboo resources worldwide. Harvesting of very
young culms for fiber or timber has jeopardized bamboo growth since ancient times, e.g., in China, but more
recently inappropriate harvest has lead to extremely low (when overexploited) and extremely high (when
unmanaged) standing-culm densities. If bamboo stands are left undisturbed, biomass production increases until
2 This draws upon publications by Midmore (2009a) and Kleinhenz and Midmore (2001)
VIII World Bamboo Congress Proceedings Vol 4-69