BAMBOO BIOCHAR
Contributing to Agriculture
And Climate Change Mitigation
Dendrocalamus Sinicus (also known as the “Giant Dragon Bamboo”) have been known to grow 46 meters in height and 37cm in diameter. One hectare sequesters up to 62 tons of CO2 per year.
Bamboo is versatile and fast-growing grass plant. Ther are approximately 1200 species covering 68 million hectares of the globe. Clumping bamboo expands slowly, making it suitable for landscaping, while running bamboo spreads rapidly, making it an invasive species. Bamboo can grow from a couple of feet to 46 meters high and 37 cm in diameter. The growth rate of bamboo varies widely among species, with some growing up to 3 feet in a single day.
Bamboo stands out as an effective carbon sink, with CO2 sequestering between 12 and 50 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare annually. species capable of sequestering up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare annually. Additionally, bamboo releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere compared to an equivalent stand of trees.
Understanding the characteristics of different bamboo types, their growth rates, as well as their capacity for carbon sequestration and oxygen release, can aid in making informed decisions about their cultivation and use, particularly in the context of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Bamboo is known for its ability to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, primarily through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into organic compounds, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
As a fast-growing and highly efficient photosynthesize, bamboo can indeed sequester significant amounts of CO2, especially during its rapid growth phase.
However, the rate of carbon sequestration in bamboo may slow as the plant reaches maturity. This is because once bamboo reaches its mature height, its growth rate tends to decrease, and it may allocate more energy to maintenance and reproduction rather than rapid carbon uptake.
Additionally, older bamboo plants may have a higher proportion of woody tissue, which has lower carbon sequestration rates compared to the rapidly growing, leafy parts of the plant.
While mature bamboo may not sequester carbon as rapidly as younger, actively growing bamboo, it still plays a valuable role in carbon sequestration and storage due to its longevity and the carbon stored in its structural components.
Additionally, bamboo can continue to absorb and store carbon throughout its life, albeit at a slower pace than during its rapid growth phase.