Bamboo resources of Sikkim Himalaya: diversity,distribution and utilization

We recorded 8 genera and over 30 species of bamboo in Sikkim of the reported 23 genera and 125 species in India. Thirty percent of bamboo species were recorded in tropical forests(0–900 m), 40% of species in sub-tropical forests(900–1,800 m), 17% of species in temperate forests(1,800–2,700 m), 9% of species in sub-alpine forests(2,700–3,500 m) and 4% of species in alpine vegetation(3,500–4,500 m). Bamboo is used for various purposes and its versatility qualifies it to be a multiple-use alternative to timber, food for villagers and for tribal in particular. Bamboo is also equally important to Red Panda(Ailurus fulgens), the state animal of Sikkim. We develop a list of bamboos occurring in Sikkim with their vernacular names, distributions and uses in the Himalayan state. However, more extensive study is required to fully describe the bamboo diversity of the Himalayan state.     

Fuel properties and combustion characteristics of some promising bamboo species in India

We investigated the fuel characteristics of five important bamboo species viz., Dendrocalamus strictus, D. brandisii, D. stocksii, Bambusa bambos and B. balcooa. The selected species cover more than 85% of the total growing stock of bamboo in India. Basic density varied from 0.48 to 0.78 g?cm-3 among the bamboo species studied. Ash content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content ranged between 1.4%-3.0%, 77.2%-80.8% and 17.6%-21.1%, respectively. Variation in calorific value(18.7-19.6 MJ?kg-1) was marginal. Fuel value index varied widely(586-2120) among bamboo species. The highest calorific value(19.6 MJ?kg-1) and fuel value index(2120) were found in B. balcooa. Ash elemental analysis revealed that silica and potassium are the major ash forming minerals in bamboo biomass. Silica content ranged from 8.7% to 49.0%, while potassium ranged from 20.6% to 69.8%. We studied combustion characteristics under oxidizing atmosphere. Burning profiles of the samples were derived by applying the derivative thermogravimetric technique which is discussed in detail. The five bamboo species were different in their combustion behaviour, mainly due to differences in physical and chemical properties. We compare fuel properties, ash elemental analysis and combustion characteristics of bamboo biomass with wood biomass of Eucalyptus hybrid(Eucalyptus tereticornis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis).     

Plantation future of bamboo in China

In the past, utilization of bamboo resources in China has been traditionally dominated by direct consumption of local farmers as minor forest products with weak linkage with market. In recent years, the over-supply of grains and rapid degradation of agricultural environment call for alternative crops that can be developed through integrating the environmental plantation with the market demands. Closely associated with forestry and agriculture, bamboo is able to deal with the new challenges which China‘s agriculture is facing. Of 534 documented bamboo species in China, 153 species produce edibleshoots and of which 56 species are recommended for agricultural plantation; 139 species provide timbers and of which 58 species recommended; 116 species can be splited as good strips for weaving and of which 22 species recommended; 88 species are considered as garden bamboos and of which 34 species recommended; 45 species are able to produce paper pulp and of which 18 species recommended.     

Bamboo resources,utilization and ex-situ conservation in Xishuangbanna,South-eastern China

This paper describes the geographical distribution, utilization, cultural value and ex-situ conservation of bamboo resources in Xishuangbanna, Yunan Province, China. Sixty species of bamboo in 19 genera are recorded in Xishuangbanna. The area of natural bamboo forest is 14319 ha, accounting for 5.92% of whole area of Xishuangbanna. The abundant resource of bamboo plays an important role in the economics and culture of national minorities in Xishuangbanna. Xishuangbanna Tropic Botanic Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS）, started to introduce bamboo species in 1961 and established the ex-situ conservation reserve （8 ha） of bamboo in 1981. Up to now, 211 species in 27 genera collected from tropic and sub-tropic of China and South-east Asia have been planted in the bamboo reserve, of which 11 species have bloomed and seeded, and their seeds were cultivated in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Gardens, CAS, China.     

Vertical patterns of the flora of seed plants in Dawei Mountain in Yunnan Province, Southwest China

Vertical gradients incorporate multiple resources gradients which vary continuously. Therefore, research on mountain flo-ristic patterns along vertical gradients is important to reveal regular patterns of the flora along environmental gradients and to under-stand the changes in biodiversity along these gradients and their biological fitness. This study was designed to explore the character-istics of the floral compositions and ecological significance of floristic patterns along the vertical gradients of the National Nature Reserve of Dawei Mountain, located in the southeast of Yunnan Province. We analyzed the structural characteristics of the flora and the distribution patterns of its floristic components as a function of elevation on the basis of our field investigations along vertical vegetation transects. We carried out a systematic cluster analysis in order to determine the dividing line of floristic changes by eleva-tion along gradients and studied the effects of mountain climate on the vertical variation of floristic composition. The study shows: 1) that the obvious boundary, which differentiates tropical distribution, is located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 m, which separates the tropical rain forests from the evergreen broad-leaved forests; 2) that humid rain forests are found below 700 m elevation, mountain rain forests between 700 and 1,500 m, monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests between 1,300 and 1,800 m and mountain mossy evergreen broad-leaved forests above 1,800 m. Non-representative mountain mossy dwarf forests (above 2,100 m) in the area are found on the windward sides and barren lands on mountain slopes; 3) that Hopea mollissima is one of the major component species of mountain rain forests, but it should not be considered as the major indicator species in humid rain forests as is generally accepted.     

Characteristics of soil seed bank in plantation forest in the rocky mountain region of Beijing, China

We investigated characteristics (scales and composition) of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegetation communities at the eight study sites to explore the role of soil seed banks in vegetation restoration. The storage capacity of soil seed banks at the eight sites ranked from 766.26 to 2461.92 seeds·m -2 . A total of 23 plant species were found in soil seed banks, of which 63 80% of seeds were herbs in various soil layers and 60% of seeds were located in the soil layer at 0 5cm depth. Biodiversity indices indicated clear differences in species diversity of soil seed banks among different plant communities. The species composition of aboveground vegetation showed low similarity with that based on soil seed banks. In the above- ground plant community, the afforestation tree species showed high importance values. The plant species originating from soil seed banks represented natural regeneration, which also showed relatively high importance values. This study suggests that in the rocky mountain region of Beijing the soil seed banks played a key role in the transformation from pure plantation forest to near-natural forest, promoting natural ecological processes, and the role of the seed banks in vegetation restoration was important to the improvement of ecological restoration methods.     

Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Phyllostachys bambusoides and Arundinaria racemosa, India

We investigated decomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaf and sheath litter of two important highland bamboo species (viz. Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. (Zucc.) and Arundinaria racemosa Munro) by using a litter bag technique. Our objective was to improve understanding of the addition of organic matter and nutrients to soil from the litter of two abundant highland bamboo species, species that support the local population of the region in many ways. N concentration and N/P ratio were significantly higher (p<0.01) in leaf litter of P. bambusoides. Significantly, larger values of lignin concentration, C/N ratio, and lignin/N ratio were found in the sheath litter of A racemosa. Weight loss of both leaf and sheath litter was strongly positively correlated with N and N/P ratio, and significantly negatively correlated (p<0.01) with C/N ratio. Lignin/N had a negative correlation with decay rate. In both species, only lignin concentration of the litter showed strong positive correlation with N release. Litter decomposition and N release patterns were similar for the two bamboo species, whereas, P release rate from leaf litter was higher in P. bambusoides and differed significantly between sheath and leaf litter for both species. The complex pattern of nutrient release through mineralization and immobilization during litter decomposition ensures nutrient availability in both managed and natural bamboo stands subjected to anthropogenic disturbances.     

Carbonization mechanism of bamboo（phyllostachys） by means of Fourier Transform Infrared and elemental analysis

Bamboo was carbonized at different temperatures ranging from 200℃ to 600℃.The dependence of the change of hemicellulose,cellulose,and lignin on the temperature was investigated by means of elemental analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the residual solid products.The results showed:(1)Below 200℃,hemicellulose in bamboo wasdecomposed and a large amount of hydroxyl groups are dislocated from hemicellulose and cellulose,accompanied by the evolution of water to escape.(2)200℃-250℃,cellulose in bamboo was brastically decomposed whereas the net structure of lignin keep stable,with the except of the dislocation of methoxyl groups from lignin.(3)250℃-400℃,the net structure of lignin collapse,up to 400℃,followed by that the more position in aryl groups are substituted.(4)For bamboo carbonization,the aromatization of residual carbon has approximately completed at the temperature as high as 600℃.But the fusion of aromatic rings possibly does not occur.     

Effects of Bamboo Fargesia murielae on Plant Diversity in Fir Forest on Mountain Shennongjia

Simultaneous flowering caused a gregarious dieback of umbrella bamboo (Fargesia murielae) all over the world in 1993-2000. Mountain Shennongjia in Central China‘s Hubei Province is the only native home of umbrella bamboo, where it dominates the understorey of the farges fir (Abiesfargesii) forest between 2 400 and 3 100 m, covering the ground for more than one century before a periodically flowering death. Data from 20 quadrats along a vegetation sequence revealed that the density, coverage,and height of umbrella bamboo negatively affected the species richness, diversity, and evenness of vascular plants in the forest. Local climax community of fir-bamboo was the poorest in species diversity, while the bamboo-free communities (i.e. shrubs and meadows)were bearing a higher species diversity. The simultaneous dieback of umbrella bamboo is an ecological relcase, which can pcriodically promote the plant diversity in the fir forest.     

Floristic analysis and dominance pattern of sal(Shorea robusta)forests in Ranchi,Jharkhand,eastern India

The present study describes the floristic composition and dominance pattern of sal forests in Ranchi,Jharkhand,eastern India.Vegetation was studied in 47 belt transects(509100 m)that had 137 plant species(110 identified and 27 unidentified)belonging to 51 families.The family Fabaceae with 17 species(8 spp.belonging to subfamily Faboideae,6 spp.to Caesalpinioideae and 3 spp.to Mimosoidieae)contributed the most to diversity,followed by Rubiaceae(8 spp.)and Euphorbiaceae(6 spp.).Tree density in sal was inversely related to species richness.Total tree density(C 10 cm GBH)in the studied forests was 397 individuals ha-1,with a basal cover of 262.50 m2 ha-1.Important plants of conservation concern are Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb,Andrographis paniculata(Burm.f.)Wall,Sterculiaurens Roxb.,Tinospora cordifolia(Willd.)Miers,and Asparagus densiflorus(Kunth)Jessop.Phanerophytes had the highest percentage(71%,with percentage deviation from normal life form of?25)followed by therophyte(15%,with percentage deviation?2).Observed percentage deviation from normal life form was much lower(with?2 percentage deviation)in both chamaephytes(8%)and therophytes(15%),suggesting that the studied sal forests are favorable for supporting various plants species.The forest management strategies should focus on the increasing demands for different timber and non-timber forest products to conserve the plant diversity of these natural forests.     

华中神农架箭竹(Fargesia spathacea)群落之海拔多样性(英文)

通过对华中神农架海拔1500米至2600米之间11个箭竹样方的研究,阐述了箭竹群落物种丰富度,物种多样性,物种均匀性,生活型谱及群落类型的海拔变化。从最低样方(1680米)到最高样地(2570米),微管束植物从30种降为7种,服从线性模型:Y=55.991.83X(R2=0.84,P<0.001);物种多样性从3.18降为1.78,服从线性模型:Y=4.670.10X (R2=0.72,P=0.001;物种均匀度在0.83至0.99之间变化,但与海拔并不相关。在生活型谱中,一年生植物,地下芽植物和大高位芽树木的百分比随海拔升高而升高;灌木和中高位芽树木随海拔升高而降低;多年生草本和半灌木与海拔关系不大。箭竹群落可分为5种类型:常绿阔叶林下,落叶阔叶林下,温性针叶林下,寒温性针叶林与混交林下,纯箭竹林。图4表2参19。     

云南竹类植物分布与资源区划研究

云南是世界上木本竹子资源多样性最富集的地区之一。文章从竹类资源分布、竹种多样性及竹林类型3个方面对云南省竹类植物分布与资源区划进行了研究。根据云南省自然地理环境的巨大差异性和复杂多样化的生境条件,将云南竹类资源划分为滇中暖性中小型混合竹类区,滇东、滇东南热性大型丛生竹区,滇东北暖性中小型散生竹类区,滇南热性大型丛生竹类区,滇西、滇西南热性大型丛生竹类区,滇西、滇西北寒温性小型混生竹类区等6个区;分别论述了各分区地理位置、竹类植物区系特征等。此外,文章初步总结了云南省竹亚科植物资源,截至2017年底共记载竹种41属389种。依据竹类植物分布区气候特点,将云南省竹林分为热性竹林、暖性竹林、寒温性竹林3个植被亚型以及41个竹林类型。     

Community features ofIndocalamus wilsoni in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, China

Four vegetation types, namely coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest, secondary deciduous broadleaved forest, open shrubs and meadow, with dwarf bamboo (Indocalamus wilsoni) are compared on their floristic composition, life form, community structure, and survivorship of bamboos. Disturbance of conifer-logging two decades ago promoted the species diversity, but negatively influenced the survivorship of dwarf bamboo which is dominate on the forest floor. Open shrubs bear more species diversity and more geophytes in its life-form spectrum than its background vegetation subalpine meadow, however, dwarf bamboo is growing much better in the open shrubs than in the meadow. It seems dwarf bamboo probably favorites to occur in the vegetation at gentle slopes with a mediate canopy cover. Its mass flowering in the secondary deciduous forest suggests that a simultaneous flowering and following dieback maybe irrupt in the recently coming years over the subalpine Shennongjia in China, which will be not only alter the floristic composition and community structure of the old bamboo stands, but also influence the survivorship of this rare species. Biography: Li Zhao-hua (1964-), male, Ph. D Candidate in the Ceter for Development Researches (ZEF) of Bonn University, ZEF, Bonn University, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, D-53113 Bonn, Germany. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

中国神农架国家自然保护区鄂西箬竹(Indocalamuswilsoni)的群落特征(英文)

通过对含有鄂西箬竹的4种植被,即针阔混交林、次生阔叶林、疏灌丛及草甸的样地调查,比较分析了箬竹群落的区系构成,生活型、群落结构及竹类生存状况。20年前的针叶树种的采伐提升了样地的物种多样性,但影响了其下层植物箬竹的生存。疏灌丛比其背景植被草甸含有更高的物种多样性和更多的地下芽植物,然而疏灌丛下的箬竹长势更好。箬竹偏喜于缓坡上具有中等盖度的植被环境。发生于次生阔叶林中的箬竹群体开花预示着在整个神农架亚高山生境的箬竹将在未来的几年内同时开花死亡。这不仅会改变现存竹类立地的区系构成和群落结构,同时也会波及到这一稀有物种的生存问题。     

秦岭山地竹林开花后的自然更新

本文从五个方面对秦岭竹林开花后的自然更新恢复过程进行了讨论,结果表明:1.在自然状态下种子落地一月内实生苗地上和地下生长长度为1:3,当月和当年展叶的多少与该竹的分布海拔和种子落地时间呈正相关。2.实生苗的分蘖,低海拔的当年即可分蘖,而海拔1500米以上的当年则不能分蘖。3.分蘖苗发笋从3月始可延续到9月份,各季节发笋的多少与海拔和竹种有关,各代分蘖苗发笋的时间与先一代分蘖苗发出的时间有关。4.各竹在开花后第5～6年逐渐恢复其本身的生物学特性。5.高生长和秆柄增长呈指数函数增长,幼竹地径和鞭径增长呈直线函数增长,各竹的生物学曲线巴山木竹为,箭竹为,华桔竹为     

竹材酸含量及其对脲醛胶固化时间的影响

测定了8种竹材及毛竹与意大利杨混合物的可溶酸量和结合酸量,对各种竹材及毛竹与意大利杨混合物的酸性与脲醛树脂胶固化时间的关系进行了研究。结果如下:竹材结合酸量范围为0.207～1.8meq/100g竹粉,可溶酸含量范围为0.211～2.28meq/100g竹粉;意大利杨与毛竹混合物的酸含量与毛竹所占比例呈正比关系;竹材—脲醛树脂胶的固化时间与竹材结合酸量、总酸量相关,其相互关系可以用幂函数方程y=ax~b来描述。     

云和哺鸡竹栽培技术

云和哺鸡竹是云和县的主要小径竹,经营面积超过200多hm2(三千多亩),对农业增效、农民增收起着重要使用.本文从造林地选择、种竹选择、细致造林、精心管理、合理采笋等五个方面介绍了云和哺鸡竹的栽培经营技术.     

我国的竹类科学研究

本文概括论述了近几十年来我国的竹类科学研究的进展和成就,包括竹类植物分类学,竹材及地下茎维管束解剖形态结构,竹类植物开花,笋期生长等生物学,生态学特性等的基础理论方面的研究,我国产主要经济竹种如毛竹Phyllostachys heterocyclavar.Pubescens、淡竹Ph.glauca、青皮竹Bambusa textilis等的育苗造林和速生丰产培育技术及丰产竹林群体结构等的研究,优良经济竹种的引种和竹类植物有性杂交育种的试验研究,竹林主要病虫害及竹材和竹制品的防腐防蛀技术的研究,竹材及竹副产品的综合加工利用的研究等。     

关于国产高山竹类命名之我见

本文旨在讨论我国高山竹类命名上的问题,尤其是对Sinarun-dinaria Nakai(1935)这一属名能否成立或承认的争议给以澄清。我国的高山竹类种系繁多,计可包括在数属之内,其中尤以筱竹、箭竹、玉山竹三个属的种类为主要成份。1935年日本中井博士发表了Sinarundinaria属,系以我国西部高山区所产的两种竹类作为建立此属的依据。它们原先都是作为北美箭竹属ArundinariaMichaux(1803)的种类,即A.nitida Mitford和A.murielaeGamble,他在发表时业已选定前一种为该属的模式种。惜乎当时此二种均处于尚未开花的营养体时期,所以中井虽用拉丁文写下了Sinarundinaria和苦竹属Pleioblastus Nakai(1925)及北美箭竹属相比较的特征集要与其新属的特征描述,但这两者均是仅限于营养体部分而缺少生殖相方面的任何内容。就此点而论,这是历来植物界发表高等植物之新属极为异常而罕见的现象。因此本文作者认为Sinarundinaria乃是一个应予废弃或要加以否定的属名。更何况后来已知道了上述两种竹类之花部构造,也查明了它们的地下茎情况,其模式种A.nitida现已更名为Fargesia nitida(Mitf.)Kengf.ex T.P.Yi,另一种亦改称Fargesia murielae(Gamble)T.P.Yi,故Sinarundinaria乃是箭竹属Fargesia Franchet(1893)之一异名。