Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Bamboo in Subtropical China: Efficiency of Solar Conversion into Biomass and CO2 Sequestration

  • Published:
The Botanical Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased in bamboo (Phyllostachy pubescens) with increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Average maximum Pn was 17.76, 16.66, and 16.77 (μmol/m2/s) in lower, middle and upper layers canopy respectively at CO2 saturation point. Light use efficiency of leaves ranged from 0.15% to 2.25% on different days and at different times of year measured by LP-6400 at 900 m altitude in the Tianmu Mountain Natural Reserve (TMNR) in Northwest Zhejiang Province, China. At two distant locations (TMNR and Lingfeng Bamboo Farm, Anji County) annual radiation conversion efficiency was 1.43% and 1.62% into total biomass (ET), and 0–1% into harvestable biomass (Eh). Carbon sequestration rates were 14.8, and 16.7 t/ha/annum at the two locations. We argue that expansion of bamboo forests into marginal lands of China, with improved management, offers real potential and options to counter climate change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Administration Authority for Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve. 1992 Comprehensive Investigation Report on Natural Resource of Tianmu Mountain Reserve. Zhejiang Science and Technology Press, Hangzhou China Pages: 12–18, 39–53 (in Chinese)

  • China Energy Net. 2009 Bioethanoal Development and Potential in China, Feb., 16, 2009, (www.china5e.com)

  • DOE. 2008 International Energy Outlook (2008) US .Department of Energy, Washington DC (www.eia.doc.gov./oiaf/aeo/)

  • FAO media centre. 2010 World deforestation decrease, but remains alarming in many countries, March 25, 2010 (http://www.fao.org/news/story/pt/item/40893/icode/en)

  • Guo, Q. R., G. Y. Yng, T. Z. Du & J. M. Shi. 2005. Review on the Carbon Character of Chinese Bamboo Forests. Communication on World Bamboo and Rattan 3(3): 35–38 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaton, E. A., J. Clifton-Brown, T. B. Voigt, M. B. Jones & S. P. Long. 2004. Miscanthus for renewable generation: European Union experience and projections for Illinois Mitigation and Adaptation. Strategies for Global Change 9: 433–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———, F. G. Dohleman & S. P. Long. 2008. Meeting US biofuel goals with less land: the potential of Miscanthus. Global Change Biology 14: 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin QY. 2007 Study the characteristics of carbon assimilation by Bamboo (phyllostachy Pubescens) plant in Tianmu Mountain. Master Degree Thesis, Graduate school of Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University.

  • Gratani, L., M. F. Crescente, L. Varone, et al. 2008. Growth pattern and photosynthetic activity of different bamboo species growing in the Botanical Garden of Rome. Distribution Functional Ecology of Plant 203(1): 77–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milliken, J., F. Joseck, M. Wang & E. Yuzugullu. 2007. The advanced energy Initiative. Journal of Power Sources 172: 121–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parr J., L. Sullivan, BH. Chen, GF. Ye 2010 Carbon bio-sequestrated within the phytoliths of economic bamboo species Global Change Biology, doi:10.1111/j.1365-24862009.02118.x

  • Shi YC., 2008 Food! Petroleum! Biofue! Forum of Environment and Ecology for China June 08, 2008 (http://forum.eedu.org.cn) (in Chinese)

  • Shi, J. M., Q. R. Guo & G. Y. Yang. 2005. Dynamic Photosynthesis of Bamboo Forests. Forestry Science Research 18(5): 551–555 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou CF., 1998 Bamboo Silvia Culture. Chinese Forest Publishing House, Beijing China Pages: 17–19, 27, 103, 130, 179, 186, 199–200, 318, 387–391 (in Chinese)

  • Zhou, G. M. & P. K. Jiang. 2004. Density, storage, and spatial distribution of carbon in phyllostachy pubescences forest. Scientia Silvae Sinicae 40(6): 11–15 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • ———, J. S. Wu & P. K. Jiang. 2006. Effect of different management models on carbon storage in phyllostachy Pubescens. Journal of Beijing Forestry University 28(6): 51–55 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the financial support from Zhejiang A & F University, China, and also express our appreciation to Miss Q.Y. Lin, Mr. J.S. Wu and Mr. X.B. Qian for their assistance in field measurements and laboratory analysis. We would also like to express our sincerely thanks to two reviewers and Dr. Anna O.W. Leung for their valuable comments in improving the quality of this paper in scientific point of view and for English editing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joint Laboratory for Forest Soil and the Environment, Institute of Soil Science, CAS, Nanjing, 210008, China

    Zhihong Cao, Guomo Zhou, Peikun Jiang, Shunyao Zhuang & Hua Qin

  2. School of Environment Science and Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China

    Zhihong Cao, Guomo Zhou, Peikun Jiang, Shunyao Zhuang & Hua Qin

  3. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Cycling in Forest Ecosystem and Carbon Sequestration, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China

    Zhihong Cao, Guomo Zhou, Peikun Jiang & Hua Qin

  4. School of Forestry and Bio- Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China

    Guosheng Wen

  5. Joint Laboratory for Soil and Environment, Institute of Soil Science, CAS, Nanjing, 210008, China

    Zhihong Cao, Shunyao Zhuang & Minghung Wong

  6. Hong Kong Baptist University Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    Zhihong Cao, Shunyao Zhuang & Minghung Wong

Authors
  1. Zhihong Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guomo Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guosheng Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peikun Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shunyao Zhuang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hua Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Minghung Wong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhihong Cao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cao, Z., Zhou, G., Wen, G. et al. Bamboo in Subtropical China: Efficiency of Solar Conversion into Biomass and CO2 Sequestration. Bot. Rev. 77, 190–196 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-011-9075-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-011-9075-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation