Boosting Biodiversity, Enhancing Yields 2 Results of the EU-Funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

INBAR Technical Report No. 34

Boosting biodiversity, The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1997. INBAR is dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benets of bamboo and rattan. enhancing yields

INBAR plays a unique role in nding and demonstrating innovative ways of using Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem bamboo and rattan to protect environments and biodiversity, alleviate poverty, and Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010, in China facilitates fairer pro-poor trade. INBAR connects a global network of partners from the government, private, and not-for-prot sectors in over 50 countries to dene and Giles Henley, Lou Yiping, Li Yanxia implement a global agenda for sustainable development through bamboo and rattan.

Tel: 00 86 10 64706161 Fax: 00 86 10 64702166 Email: [email protected] http:// www.inbar.int

Edited by Andrew Benton Produced by Megan Cai, Li Yanxia All photos by INBAR ISBN: 978-92-95098-33-6

International Network for Bamboo and Rattan www.inbar.int Printed on recycled paper Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Foreword

The services and goods that are provided by bamboo are virtually unlimited. Well-managed bamboo stands can provide a sustainable supply of high-quality bamboo poles that can be used whole or split to yield raw material for processing into all manner of products. A healthy bamboo forest helps with soil conservation, carbon sequestration and erosion control. Bamboo can provide nutritious food and bamboo extracts can be used in a variety of ways.

Over the past few decades the demand for bamboo has increased tremendously, often resulting in damaging management practices Hans Friederich such as growing bamboo as a monoculture, over-harvesting the Director General resource, and applying inappropriate amounts and type of fertilizers. This has in many cases aected the environmental service functions and the long-term productivity of the natural forest, threatening both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the farmers who depend on the bamboo.

There is an urgent need to agree on more environmentally-friendly sustainable management practices that maintain the ecosystem but still provide a good nancial income, and to develop policies to foster the restoration of biodiversity and enhance productivity of natural bamboo forests.

The EU-China Biodiversity Programme was established by the EU, UNDP and Ministry of Environment in China to help enable China to manage its ecosystems more sustainably. From 2007 - 2011, INBAR worked with the programme sta and our partners in Yunnan, Sichuan and Hunan provinces, to develop and test a set of biodiversity-friendly management practices for bamboo, and to use them to develop policy recommendations that could be adopted and adapted into the Chinese forest policy framework. This book presents the results of that work, of its continuing inuence and of the improvements in bamboo management practices that it has inspired in those three provinces, and more broadly in China and beyond.

Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 2 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Foreword

Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 2 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project,

2007-2010 in China

Contents Summary

Summary...... 4 The INBAR-implemented Bamboo Biodiversity Project was one of eighteen projects under the umbrella of the 2007 – 2010 EU-China Biodiversity Programme. Working 1. Introduction...... 5 in the commercially-important Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso bamboo) and 2. Overview of the project...... 9 endangered Qiongzhuea tumidinodia (Qiong bamboo) forests, the project developed a series of management methods that maintain high levels of biodiversity in the 3. Development of bamboo forest management models forests, whilst enabling increasing economic yields of harvested bamboo. These tested management recommendations are now being implemented beyond the that protect biodiversity...... 13 project areas, and have formed the basis for policy recommendations to the 4. Disseminating new knowledge of bamboo ecosystems...... 25 government forestry agencies of provincial and national government in China.

5. Training...... 29 The project achieved the following results: • Hundreds of villagers in very poor parts of southwestern China use new 6. Policy Research...... 31 biodiversity-friendly methods of managing their bamboo forests, increasing 7. Lessons learnt for bamboo development in other yields and providing an extra 1000USD income each for the farmers each year. • Over 50 provincial level government agency personnel are trained in managing countries ...... 33 bamboo forests for biodiversity, and many of them now support and implement these practices. 8. Conclusions ...... 36 • Enhanced understanding of the benets of managing bamboo forests for 9. Longer term results, 2011 - 2013...... 39 biodiversity conservation in many bamboo-growing provinces of China has resulted in improved local capacity to implement the management practices. Annex 1: Findings of Plant, Bird and Soil Organism • A national network of experts is accessible to local farmers and villagers who rely on bamboo for their livelihoods. population surveys ...... 43 • A range of technical and academic study papers have been produced that Annex 2: Scientic publications published through enable interested parties to replicate or improve the methodologies, and are a source for further research and innovation. the project’s work...... 48 • A long-term solution has been proposed to prevent the destruction of Qiong bamboo forests by severe overharvesting, and to promote their eventual Bibliography...... 49 removal from the China Red List of endangered species. Acknowledgements...... 50 • Enhanced education and understanding of school children in the project areas about the importance of protecting biodiversity has provided grass-roots support for long-term sustainability.

These results are of special signicance given the increasing importance of bamboo forests in providing ecosystem services, and the international interest in a supply of sustainable bamboo resources. The project has clearly illustrated the increasing economic costs of maintaining bamboo forests as monocultures, with diminishing long-term yields and the need for increasingly expensive cultivation practices.

As the project was the rst of its kind and ran for just three years, it can best be regard- ed as providing a solid foundation on which longer term studies would be expected to build.

3 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 4 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project,

2007-2010 in China

Contents Summary

As the project was the rst of its kind and ran for just three years, it can best be regard- ed as providing a solid foundation on which longer term studies would be expected to build.

3 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 4 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Unlike other forestry subsectors in China, the land and management rights of bamboo forests predominantly rest with individual farmers, rather than with state farms or private companies. Bamboo forests are also exempt from many of the restrictions which have been introduced to protect forested areas from deforestation. Farmers are therefore free to manage their bamboo forests as they wish, with relatively little intervention from the state or outside actors compared to other parts of the forestry sector.

The increased attention to bamboo in China resulted in spectacular growth of bamboo farming and processing. However, as prots drove economic incentives to exploit forests for their bamboo in the 1990s, forest biodiversity suered. Bamboo farming yielded higher margins than other crop options and this resulted in the expansion of monocultures in some areas, and overharvesting in others.

The Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests, which make up about 70% of China’s bamboo forests, are most-aected. Moso is the most marketable of the Chinese bamboos, and Moso forests have expanded rapidly over the last two decades - the area of Moso increased from 3.8 million hectares in 1995 to 5.38 million hectares in 2010; an average increase of 105,300 ha per year1. 1 However, other bamboo species have also found important domestic and international Introduction markets, and have become increasingly commercialized. But where the regulations

covering the harvesting of these are not properly formulated and enforced, mismanagement has occured. This has been the case with the nobbly-noded ‘Qiong bamboo’ species (Qiongzhuea tumidinoda) that grows in Northern Yunnan and Southern Sichuan provinces. With high returns from its shoots and timber (which is prized for handicraft items such as walking-sticks), harvesting Qiong bamboo is an important source of income for poor local farmers. However, the absence of well - dened resource ownership regimes has resulted in overharvesting, and Qiong bamboo is now seriously Bamboo farming and biodiversity threatened - leading to its listing on the China Red List of Endangered Plant Species.

‘Farming’ bamboo is an important source of income for some 4-5 million people living in So the issue of biodiversity loss in bamboo forests in China thus has two sides: loss of the rural areas of Southern China. Bamboo is an important forest crop that produces complexity, stability and resilience in Moso forests, and over-exploitation and decline of woody timber and bamboo shoots - vegetables that are commonly used in Chinese and other valuable species. As farmers prioritize Moso at the expense of other plants in the other Asian cuisine. Bamboo farming has a long history in China, but it is only in the last 30 forest, plant communities are simplied, become reliant on external inputs, and lose some years that it has developed as an important economic activity. A combination of more of their ecosystem functions. Improper management of Qiong bamboo leads to scarcity. coordinated attention to bamboo by government and scientists, a more open trade policy in China and increasing pressure on other forest resources have led to higher protability of bamboo farming and recognition of the role of the bamboo sector as an important engine of local economic development.

1China Forestry Resource Assessment (multiple years).

5 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 6 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

1China Forestry Resource Assessment (multiple years).

5 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 6 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

While the property rights issues aecting resource loss of Qiong bamboo are relatively well (5) Businesses and consumers may inuence biodiversity in bamboo forests by demanding understood, in the Moso case, the problem is more complex. Farmers see mixed forests as that raw materials have certain characteristics, or are sourced in accordance with a set of a lost opportunity for earning more money from expanding the amount of bamboo on criteria. their land, and as a threat to the optimal growth of their bamboo crops, as the bamboo has to compete with other species for light and nutrients. Also, keeping forests clear of other The EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project plants makes it easier and faster for farmers to access and extract bamboo. However, in the long run, the environmental costs from adopting monoculture forestry negatively aect The EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project was one of 18 eld projects under the the health of the forests, making them more susceptible to insect attacks and weather EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP), the biggest biodiversity programme funded by the disasters, and soil fertility loss (Lou et al. 1997; Hong et al. 2005). These can result in nancial European Union globally. The Programme’s aim was to support China to establish innovative losses to bamboo farmers as their crops are less productive. In addition, reduced and replicable mechanisms for biodiversity protection, and to strengthen institutional biodiversity in monoculture forests has clear negative eects on the local and wider capacity to implement policies from central to local levels. environment; monoculture forests are more susceptible to soil erosion and careless application of fertilisers on steep slopes can result in runo and contribute to river As well as providing majority funding support for the implementation of eld projects, the eutrophication (Hong et al. 2005). ECBP worked on mainstreaming biodiversity into the work of government at the central level, strengthening biodiversity conservation policies and their implementation through:

Who inuences biodiversity in bamboo forests? • Strengthening national policy and institutional frameworks for biodiversity conservation. • Mainstreaming biodiversity into relevant policies and legislation, including (1) Farmers have the most direct inuence as they decide which practices to use in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). bamboo forests. At present, most bamboo farmers in China are poor with low levels of • Increasing the knowledge of decision-makers and the general public regarding education, and they try to maximize their prots from bamboo forests by using intensive biodiversity and its importance. bamboo farming practices that include removing other tree species in the forest, clearing the undergrowth, tilling the soil, and applying fertilizers and pesticides. Until recently, much of the work in China on biodiversity had focused on in-situ protection of biodiversity in protected areas, and ex-situ captive breeding of animal and plants. Whilst these Although the farmers ultimately decide which techniques they will use in growing are important, the decline of biodiversity as China develops means that these methods can only bamboo, there are many other actors who inuence forest biodiversity indirectly. contribute minimally to overall protection of biodiversity, much of which exists outside of protected areas. The ECBP therefore aimed to both raise awareness of biodiversity to increase (2) Staff of local forest management stations provide technical extension services to its inclusion by government institutions and ocials in planning processes, and to encourage farmers on practices and new technology. For instance, a national standard on ‘high the introduction of mechanisms for biodiversity protection into the operating systems of productivity’ bamboo growth that has been promoted by the central and provincial government. This was done by introducing changes into EIA and SEA processes which are used governments, gives recommendations and instructions for maximizing bamboo shoot prior to implementing development initiatives (i.e. through the inclusion of biodiversity productivity, but makes no reference to biodiversity. indicators), introducing references to biodiversity into the 12th, 5-Year Plan, incorporating biodiversity into development plans for major economic zones, and the development of a new (3) Policymakers in the forestry departments at provincial and national levels develop National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. policies on forestry which inuence forest management practices, including the scope and type of aorestation activities, and their implementation and supervision. The ECBP Project Management Oce was in charge of coordinating all the projects and liaising at the central government level, and was therefore another important stakeholder and ‘client’ (4) Scientific and research institutions conduct forestry research, provide technical of the project’s results and ndings. The project’s approaches, ndings and lessons learnt were advisory services, promote the application of research ndings, and conduct quality important inputs into the formation of recommendations and awareness-raising for supervision and testing of forestry products. These institutions often provide evidence of government bodies and institutions. Through this institutional arrangement, information from forest dynamics and feedback on the success or failure of dierent policies. the project was communicated beyond the immediate sphere of inuence of the project and, along with the other projects, has collectively inuenced the attitudes and approaches that were taken at the Central level, which increasingly work to protect biodiversity.

7 8 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Site Characteristic Yanling, Hunan Changning, Sichuan Daguan, Yunnan Bamboo Type Moso Bamboo Moso Bamboo Qiong Bamboo

Management Mixed trees and Monoculture Mixed, intensively Practice used bamboo forests bamboo forests harvested bamboo thickets Products Timber Timber and Shoots Shoots Site Bordering a nature Near the ‘Bamboo In a poor Characteristics reserve Sea’, a bamboo mountainous region reserve/attraction Climatic zone Subtropical Subtropical Subtropical Poverty Level Middle Middle High

Characteristics of the different project sites

2 Overview of 2.1 Project Activities

the project, 2007 - 2010 The activities conducted under the project fell into four categories. The project worked at dierent levels of local and central government, and with farmers, to establish activities

and educate stakeholders on biodiversity issues in bamboo forests.

2.1.1. Applied Research The INBAR-implemented Bamboo Biodiversity Project aimed to tackle the threats facing biodiversity in bamboo forests and demonstrate the economic and Prior to the project’s implementation, relatively little emphasis was placed upon biodiversity in bamboo forests in China, with the forestry sector concentrating most of its conservation benefits of maintaining biodiverse bamboo forests. Growing pressure eorts on productivity and yield increases. To study the bamboo forest ecosystem and the on bamboo forests for higher timber yields and more knowledge of how to relationships between ecosystem components, the project established a pilot site in each maximize timber productivity have resulted in the use of practices which reduce of the three host provinces to carry out observations and testing. While recognizing that biodiversity in bamboo forests. The project aimed to raise awareness of these the three years of the project were too short to study many ecosystem changes, the project issues, validate and propose alternative approaches which mitigate further aimed to improve basic knowledge of component species and their dynamics in dierent reduction in biodiversity and, where possible, increase biodiversity in monoculture bamboo forests, and understand how these diered according to the management bamboo forests. regimes used.

The project ran over three years, and brought together five partners closely Each site was established on 45 hectares of forest land which was managed by local involved in bamboo forestry management, research and policy in China; INBAR, the farmers. Monitoring of the forest conditions was done by experts in conjunction with local Chinese Academy of Forestry’s Research Institute for Subtropical Forestry, and farmers who were trained in monitoring and reporting the selected indicators. The Provincial Government Forestry Departments from the three provinces that hosted research outputs were used in local capacity building for biodiversity management, and disseminated through publications and workshops for foresters. project field sites - Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan.

9 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 10 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Site Characteristic Yanling, Hunan Changning, Sichuan Daguan, Yunnan Bamboo Type Moso Bamboo Moso Bamboo Qiong Bamboo

Characteristics of the different project sites

2 Overview of 2.1 Project Activities the project, 2007 - 2010 The activities conducted under the project fell into four categories. The project worked at dierent levels of local and central government, and with farmers, to establish activities

and educate stakeholders on biodiversity issues in bamboo forests.

9 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 10 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

2.1.2. Disseminating new knowledge on bamboo forest ecology and biodiversity

The project organized workshops, events and a web platform to stimulate forestry-sector discussions on bamboo forest biodiversity and improve knowledge of relevant issues among the academic and government communities in China. These aimed to provide a wider community of forestry sector researchers, technicians and ocials with knowledge of the issues that the project addressed, access to the key outputs of the projects (including guidelines, recommendations, scientic reports and training materials) and opportunities to learn of new developments from other parts of the research community.

2.1.3. Training for forestry ocials and farmers

Understanding the bamboo forest ecosystem is crucial to improving protection of biodiversity. Although forestry ocials usually understand bamboo growth and production, the importance of biodiversity protection and the e ect it has on the long-term viability of bamboo forests is under-appreciated. The project designed and carried out training programmes for di erent groups involved in the farming and The areas of intervention and outcomes of the project oversight of the bamboo sector, including farmers, local forestry department sta and technicians, and policymakers in order to improve understanding in this area. An The four areas of project intervention produce di erent outcomes, some of which have emphasis was placed on practical measures, including biodiversity-friendly management been realized within the life of the project, and some which are expected to emerge in the techniques that were suggested for adoption. coming years. 2.1.4. Policy Review and Recommendations For instance, applied research carried out under the project has already contributed to ‘more technical and scientic knowledge’ through the involvement of inuential research Policies governing the forestry sector and land use play an important role in determining institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Forestry, and the publication of papers in the management practices used in bamboo forests. Forestry policy in China is made at the scientic journals, but this knowledge has yet to be translated into existing policy. Whilst it central level, and is implemented at the provincial and local county levels by Forestry has built capacity within local forestry bureaux who were involved in the research, it has Department sta . However, the decisions taken by bamboo farmers are also inuenced not yet directly reached those not directly involved in the project. by numerous other laws, policies and national projects that target economic development, land-use, rights and biodiversity protection. As implementation of policy also di ers between provinces due to local di erences, the project analyzed the policy contexts in each of the three provinces and carried out an aggregate policy analysis of the national situation. Due to the special situation in Yunnan with the endangered Qiong bamboo, an in-depth study focusing on policies to protect this resource was carried out.

2.2 The project’s approach to engendering change

The gure (top right) shows the relationship between the project activities and the processes which can bring about improvement in forest biodiversity (in orange). Solid arrows represent the e ects that have occurred to date (and are expected to continue), and dashed arrows represent the future expected outcomes of the project.

11 12 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

2.1.2. Disseminating new knowledge on bamboo forest ecology and biodiversity

2.1.3. Training for forestry ocials and farmers

2.2 The project’s approach to engendering change

11 12 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1 Monoculture and mixed Moso forests

3.1.1. Biodiversity surveys and comparisons of biodiversity in different management techniques

Detailed inventories of plants, insects and bird species were made in Hunan and Sichuan (the two Moso bamboo sites), and studies were done to observe how these diered between sites and what changes the dierent management regimes brought. Findings from the sites demonstrated that there were observable dierences in the presence and health of plant and animal populations which can be attributed to the management techniques in place. Not surprisingly, the baseline biodiversity was lower in Sichuan owing to a longer history of monoculture, Farmers in Hunan retained mixed forests. One of the clearest ndings from the studies was the dierence in plant diversity between sites: There was more diversity in the mixed forests of Hunan (where 131 plant species were found, of which 34 were trees) than in the bamboo monocultures of Sichuan (where only 40 plant species were found). Similar but less pronounced dierences existed in the 3 Development of bamboo numbers of in insect and bird species. While some of these dierences may be attributable to inuences other than the site management, management is certainly an forest management models important factor. More details of the species composition of the sites under dierent that protect biodiversity management are presented in Annex 1.

3.1.2. The effects of different management practices on plant biodiversity

The relationship between management practices and plant diversity was studied closely in the project. To test the eects of management practices directly, separate plots were set up in the forests under dierent management techniques and compared over the project’s life. The practices were selected based upon practical considerations in each site, and tested against indicators that measure of abundance, species diversity and evenness The project analyzed the impacts of different management commonly used in ecological studies. practices on in-situ forest biodiversity, and tested the use of different viable sets of management practices on forest productivity and biodiversity. Having chosen appropriate indicators amongst plant, bird and soil organism populations, the Management techniques tested at the different sites project tested different management techniques in different Hunan Sichuan forest plots to observe their effects . 1) Mixed vegetation diversity management 1) Top-cutting 2) Adjustment of species composition 2) No tillage 3) Adjustment of the ratio of bamboo and trees 3) Intercropping with hardwood 4) Conventional top-cutting trees 5) Top-cutting + adjustment of bamboo forest 4) Retaining understory vegetation structure

13 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 14 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1 Monoculture and mixed Moso forests

3.1.1. Biodiversity surveys and comparisons of biodiversity in different management techniques

3.1.2. The effects of different management practices on plant biodiversity

13 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 14 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Management techniques tested in the Hunan and Sichuan Moso bamboo sites Mixed bamboo forest in Hunan Province Five experimental bamboo forest management practices were tested. These were:

Location Management techniques Description 1) Mixed vegetation diversity management; 2) Adjustment of species composition; Selected species of tree seedlings 3) Adjustment of the ratio of bamboo and trees; Mixed vegetation diversity good for bamboo were retained, management along with some shrubs and 4) Conventional top-cutting; herbaceous plants 5) Top-cutting + adjustment of bamboo structure.

Tree species that compete with When compared with the control plot (no management) there was no statistically Adjustment of species Moso bamboo were removed; signicant dierence in the abundance, species diversity and evenness indicators in the composition other tree species that benet tree, shrub and grass layers between the ve techniques and the control during the bamboo were retained project period. All other tree species were Hunan Adjustment of the ratio of cleared completely or thinned However the abundance index of tree layer and the species diversity index of the shrub bamboo and trees from the forest oor layer in plots under mixed vegetation diversity management were signicantly higher than plots where top-cutting + adjustment of bamboo structure practices applied; the Alatalo All the shrubs and herbs in the evenness index of plots under conventional top-cutting management was signicantly Conventional top-cutting understory layer were cleared higher than those under other practices; and the average diameter of bamboo with from the forest oor top-cutting + adjustment of bamboo structure was signicantly higher than in all others Tree species that benet (except plots with adjustment of species composition). bamboo were retained, species Top-cutting + adjustment that compete with bamboo were Monoculture bamboo forest in Sichuan Province of bamboo forest structure removed. Shrubs and herba- Four bamboo forest management practices were tested in the experimental plots: ceous plants in the understory layer were cleared from the 1) Top-cutting; forest oor 2) No tillage; All shrubs and herbaceous plants 3) Intercropping with other hardwood trees; Top-cutting in the understory layer were 4) Retaining understory vegetation. cleared from the forest oor There was no statistically signicant dierence between the abundance, species diversity No tillage The soil in the forest was not and evenness indices of the plant communities. tilled

Sichuan Intercropping with other Other hardwood trees were A separate study observed the eects of two dierent combinations of the above hardwood trees planed in the bamboo forest at a management practices. The conservation combination (fertilization in stump + specied ratio remaining understory vegetation + no tillage + cleaning undergrowth) and the conventional combination (top-cutting + loosening soil + fertilization in soil) were Selected species of tree Retaining understory seedlings good for bamboo were compared with a control plot. There was no statistically signicant dierence in the vegetation retained, along with some abundance, species diversity and evenness indices of plant layer between either of these shrubs and herbaceous plants two combinations of practices management practice and the control.

Overall, the results suggested that the indicators of plant diversity were not sensitive to dierent management practices in the short-term.

15 16 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Management techniques tested in the Hunan and Sichuan Moso bamboo sites Mixed bamboo forest in Hunan Province Five experimental bamboo forest management practices were tested. These were:

Overall, the results suggested that the indicators of plant diversity were not sensitive to dierent management practices in the short-term.

15 16 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.3. The effects of different practices on productivity of bamboo forest

Productivity was measured by average culm diameter, average density and yield.

In mixed bamboo forest in Hunan Province, a comparison of the ve management techniques with control plots found that for all indicators of productivity the results of management techniques were statistically signicantly higher than the control plots.

In the monoculture bamboo forest in Sichuan Province a comparison of the four management techniques found that there were no statistically signicant dierences in the average bamboo diameter, density, yield and number of new bamboo stems between plots.

However, in the comparison of combinations with the controlled trial, average culm diameter, average density and yield under the conservation combination was statistically signicantly higher than that of the controlled trial, under the conventional combination.

It is clear that management techniques increase bamboo forest productivity, but it seemed that the introduction of simple practices alone was not enough to increase the productivity of pure bamboo forest; rather, a combination of dierent techniques was necessary. This may be a result of the relatively short time period of the project - longer term studies on the use of management techniques might be useful.

17 18 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.3. The effects of different practices on productivity of bamboo forest

Productivity was measured by average culm diameter, average density and yield.

17 18 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.4. Recommendations for appropriate management practices Minimising Management Impact

Based on methods of assignment scoring screening and considering the comprehensive The practices compared were: Hunan (Baseline= Mixed forest cultivation) e ect on biodiversity, bamboo forest community structure and productivity of bamboo forest, the following recommendations were made: 1. Removing mixed tree species : All tree species were removed completely from the forest oor Recommended management practice in Hunan Province 2. Keeping mixed tree species (adjustment of species composition ): Other tree In Hunan, the practice of mixed vegetation diversity management seems the most suitable species which benet bamboo were kept management practice to balance biodiversity and productivity objectives in the mixed 3. Understory clearance (conventional top-cutting): All other trees, shrubs and bamboo forest. This practice includes selectively removing some of the high density herbs were removed from the forest oor shrubs but keeping those tree seedlings that are good for bamboo growth to promote the 4. Conservation-based clearance (mixed vegetation diversity management): regeneration of understory vegetation and maintain their diversity. Selected species of other tree seedlings, shrubs and herbs were retained

Recommended management practice in Sichuan Province Sichuan (Baseline= Monoculture cultivation) In Sichuan, all four practices tested are suitable for the management of pure bamboo forests. 5. Apply chemical fertilizer to soil: Chemical fertilizer is added directly to soil 6. Organic fertilizer: Organic fertilizer is applied to the soil For the sets of combined management practices tested, the conservation combination is 7. Fertilizer in stumps: Chemical fertilizer is applied directly into bamboo stumps recommended to achieve recovery of biodiversity in the bamboo community and sustain 8. Soil tillage: The soil in the forest is tilled completely productivity of bamboo forests.

These recommendations are based on observations of the short-term e ects on plant Province Practice Plants Insects Birds Soil Organisms biodiversity and productivity of bamboo of specic management practices for Moso Clearing out mixed -- - - - bamboo forest, within the limitations of the conditions of the project. While there did tree species appear to be di erent e ects of management on other groups (birds, insects, soil Hunan organisms), these were less pronounced and only general trends were observed, as Keeping mixed tree + + + - (Baseline=Mixed species shown in the table (right). Forest) Understory clearance - - - + Conservation-based ++ + = - clearance

Sichuan Chemical Fertiliser - = = - Organic Fertiliser + = = = Fertiliser in Stumps + = = = Soil tillage - I I -

Key: (+): observable positive e ect (-): observable negative e ect (++/--): statistically signicant observable e ect (=): no observable e ect (I): e ect is unclear

19 20 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.4. Recommendations for appropriate management practices Minimising Management Impact

Sichuan Chemical Fertiliser - = = - Organic Fertiliser + = = = Fertiliser in Stumps + = = = Soil tillage - I I -

Key: (+): observable positive e ect (-): observable negative e ect (++/--): statistically signicant observable e ect (=): no observable e ect (I): e ect is unclear

19 20 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.5. Uptake of ndings locally 3.2.1. Development of techniques to improve biodiversity in Qiong forests

The experimental sites were used as demonstration sites for the local farmers and Four experimental practices were introduced and their eects studied: communities, and the practices used were shown to local stakeholders. They were also a) Restructuring Qiong bamboo density; written into a set of guidelines that were published along with explanations on how to b) Nutrient management; use them. Feedback from farmers suggested that farmers are willing to try the techniques, c) Controlling shoot harvesting; and implement these in their forests. Due to the long-term nature of natural resource d) Vegetation management. management, the extent to which the guidelines developed by the project are being incorporated into current practice in Moso farming is still unknown. However, the The eect of these practices on the Qiong bamboo resources was then studied. production of scientically-validated guidelines and their dissemination is important step in encouraging the forestry sector to use dierent techniques for farming, and the The results show that the number of second generation culms increased when only older response to these has so far been positive. bamboo (aged 4-5 years) was cut. The average diameter also increased from 0.6 to 1.2cm. Controlling shoot harvesting (harvesting only 3 out of every 5 shoots or 1 out of every 3 shoots) also increased the numbers and diameter of newly grown bamboo culms. The 3.2 Endangered Qiong bamboo Forests practice of weeding and selective cutting of shrubs, vines, and deep-rooted tree species to adjust the vegetation coverage between June and August increased the diameter and Qiongzhuea tumidinoda, (also known as Qiong or Rohan bamboo) is only found in the height of newly-grown bamboo. Fertilization also signicantly improved the forest stand lower reaches of the Jinsha River, covering 11 counties of Zhaotong prefecture in Yunnan structure and its productivity. Fertilization also resulted in a 60-100% increase in the Province, and three counties in Sichuan Province. It is a small-medium sized bamboo number of new shoots emerging. The survival rate of bamboo under fertilization was also species, with a total area of distribution 23,500 ha, 73% of which is found in Zhaotong. 6 -22% higher than under the control. Daguan County, located in the centre of Zhaotong prefecture has 7,136 hectares of Qiong bamboo (41% of the total area), leading to its recognition as ‘China’s Qiong bamboo 3.2.2. Outcomes town’. Qiong bamboo is famous for its edible and delicious shoots which are very popular in Eastern and Southern Asian. The nobbly-noded Qiong bamboo culms are often used to Guidelines were developed for the harvesting and management of Qiong bamboo make ornate walking canes. adapted from other endangered species. As the most biodiverse area in China, dierent parts of Yunnan have extensive experience with management of endangered resources, However, Qiong bamboo in Daguan County is facing degeneration and depletion. As 80% which could be applied to Qiong bamboo. Based upon wider experiences of resource of the cash income of famers in Yinji village, Daguan County, comes from Qiong bamboo management and a detailed knowledge of the issues specic to Qiong bamboo, specic shoots, thousands of farmers are busily harvest shoots together in the same forest at the guidelines were drawn up to help better dene rights and restrictions on community same time every day in spring when the bamboo shoots emerge. This high-intensity farming which would lead to a sustainable harvest level. For instance, because of the harvesting without any cultivation practices weakens the regeneration of Qiong bamboo. present overharvesting of immature Qiong bamboo culms, specic guidelines were According to the results of the baseline survey, 83% of Qiong culms were in the 1-3m developed on the optimal age and number of culms harvested, and age identication height range; 81.5% of the bamboo had a diameter of under 1cm, which is far below the methods were explained. requirements for walking sticks, and the rate of shoot emergence is only 20%~25%. These results indicate overharvesting, as the Qiong bamboo is not able to reach maturity prior These guidelines were made available in two publications distributed to forestry to harvest. The degeneration and depletion of Qiong bamboo in turn may lead to income departments and institutions. In recognition of this work, the project was awarded a prize di¢culties for farmers, and aect the forest ecosystem services, such as water loss and soil by the Yunnan Provincial government for contributions to science. The Third Prize of erosion. In order to address this issue, the project recommended improved management Science and Technology Progress was awarded to the project partners on the basis of the practices to those that were currently in place. approach and its results. The prize has helped generate more interest from the Yunnan government and from the forestry sector on the issue.

21 22 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.1.5. Uptake of ndings locally 3.2.1. Development of techniques to improve biodiversity in Qiong forests

21 22 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.3 Crosscutting research findings

3.3.1. Biodiversity and resilience to snow disasters

An unexpected challenge to the project was the heavy snowstorms of the winter of 2008, in which thousands of hectares of forest land in Central and Southern China were severely damaged. This included the areas where the project was operating, which subsequently disrupted research and monitoring. However, the disaster provided an opportunity to measure the dierences in damage across types of forest. Evidence suggested that monocultures are more susceptible to disruption, as larger tree species in the bamboo-tree mixed forests withstood the high winds and pressure from the snowfall.

These eects of the snow storm on more biodiverse forests provided a clear and tangible example of how retaining biodiversity in tree species in forests could maintain resilience to extreme climatic events, and was used as an example in training delivery to both 3.3.2. Investigating the potential for forestry certification to address biodiversity farmers and forestry bodies. loss

While the project aimed to establish farming practices that both bene t biodiversity and are acceptable for farmers, the use of other mechanisms were recognized as potential tools for incentivizing the inclusion of biodiversity protection within decision-making. In particular, the project studied whether certi cation schemes, which have enjoyed increasing popularity in the forestry sector, could oer potential for bamboo farmers. It also conducted surveys in Hunan and Sichuan to determine whether the local capacity to undertake supply chain monitoring could meet certi cation requirements.

One of the most important aspects of certi cation is that farmers understand the issues, are interested in participating and are capable of going through the processes to become certi ed. Surveys were carried out of the farmers and other supply chain actors to see if gaps existed in knowledge and capacity, and whether these could be reconciled through training. Interviews were also done with retailers of bamboo products to gauge whether a premium exists or could exist for bamboo, and what other issues were important.

The studies found that while carrying out Sustainable Forestry Management by farmers was not likely to be an issue, there were several challenges in the subsequent chain of custody for the villages. Also, it was unlikely that a premium for certi ed bamboo could be gained given present consumer demand. As an outcome of the project, recommendations for certi cation were submitted to the Zhejiang Provincial Government, which has expressed interest in certi cation. The work undertaken by the project provided important further insight into the issues facing certi cation in bamboo forests, and to some extent questioned its need and potential. Whilst it was clear that the likelihood of demand for certi ed products growing was high, it was unclear whether demand would translate into further income generation, and thus inuence farming practices of farmers.

23 24 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

3.3 Crosscutting research findings

3.3.1. Biodiversity and resilience to snow disasters

23 24 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Publications

As well as the project publications, at least 12 papers on biodiversity, ecology, silviculture and management mechanisms were published in academic journals in China. Annex 2 gives a list of papers published to date.

Academic Forum in Lin’an, Zhejiang Province

In order to bring further attention to biodiversity issues within the bamboo forestry and academic circles, a National Forum for exchange of bamboo forest management and technology theory development was held in Lin’an, Zhejiang Province in September 2009. The forum brought together over 70 participants from 25 institutions and universities involved in research on bamboo forestry. To address the various issues which a ect the relationship between bamboo cultivation and the environment (biodiversity and climate issues), the Forum was split into three themes which aimed to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience among scientists and forestry professionals.

• Theme 1 addressed Sustainable Management Technology, Theory and Practices in 4 Disseminating new knowledge of Bamboo Forests, and examined recent developments in the management of bamboo bamboo ecosystems in the scientific forests, which take into account environmental e ects and goals. • Theme 2 addressed the description of bamboo forest ecosystems in terms of the and forestry communities interaction between di erent ecosystem components, their biodiversity makeup,

and the ecological services that they provide.

• Theme 3 addressed issues related to the multifactorial interaction between the bamboo sector and climate change mitigation and adaption. These included how bamboo forests can capture and store carbon in di erent carbon pools, reductions in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in the bamboo industry, and subsequent nancial Through the project’s research, networking and returns through carbon trading both in regulatory and voluntary markets. communications work, researchers from the forestry and biodiversity communities and gained a better understanding of bamboo forest biodiversity issues. The meeting was attended by academics, policy makers and The field research, often undertaken by local university practitioners from institutions involved in leading policy staff, students with collaboration from farmers, has development and research on bamboo and other forests in China, and was important for spreading awareness of recent been translated and shared through activities and research on bamboo forests’ environmental functions. publications. Twenty-six papers were presented and published in the proceedings. Participants agreed to continue working and promoting biodiversity as an important issue for the bamboo forestry sector.

25 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 26 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Publications

Academic Forum in Lin’an, Zhejiang Province

and the ecological services that they provide.

25 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 26 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Online Forum Local awareness-raising in schools in Yunnan

An online bamboo science and culture forum was established in November 2009 to The project cooperated with local schools in Daguan, Yunnan to communicate messages increase communication on bamboo management and culture. The site was launched at on biodiversity and farming practices. This was partly to include school children in the the Lin’an Forum and since then has been hosted on the INBAR website. By May 2011, the programme directly, as they were better educated than their parents, who had not site had attracted 11,000 visits and has been used as a platform to exchange information received much, if any, schooling in this remote region. Essay-writing competitions, plays by project participants and interested parties during the years of implementation. and performances were held in order to spread messages about biodiversity protection and managed harvesting of the Qiong bamboo forests. Participation in other conferences and events The results of the school programme were very positive. School groups actively The project has been presented and showcased at numerous events and conferences. participated, and parents acknowledged the importance of getting information from These included events that have been organized by the ECBP in China, and other national their children, who explain what they had learnt at home to their parents after school. and international events including: This was signicant, as the children were able to pick up and understand the need for biodiversity conservation more easily than their parents, and help change their parent’s • World Forestry Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2009 initial reluctance to try the new management methods. The approach taken was also • Biodiversity workshops and conference in China (Lijiang, Yunnan Province 2010) recognized by reviewers and observers as being well designed and an appropriate • INBAR 2010 Bamboo and Rattan Congress, Shanghai Expo awareness raising tool for the circumstances found in Yunnan. • Convention of Biological Diversity COP 10, Nagoya Japan, 2010

27 28 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Online Forum Local awareness-raising in schools in Yunnan

27 28 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

5.2 Training for forestry officials

Twenty-nine o cials were trained on bamboo biodiversity conservation and relevant techniques. The following provincial and county level institutions in Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan received training on biodiversity management, project management and nancial administration. Other institutions also participated from other provinces.

Forestry officials trained in the provinces Hunan Sichuan Yunnan Hunan Provincial Forestry Sichuan Provincial Forestry Yunnan Provincial Forestry Department- Technical Department- ‘Conversion of Department- Natural Forest Extension Agency Farming Land into Forest’ Protection Programme (6 people) Management O ce O ce (5 people) (5 people) Yanling Forestry Bureau Changning Forestry Bureau Daguan Forestry Bureau (5 people) (5 people) (3 people)

As well as trainings organized within China, a study trip to Tasmania, Australia was also held to study plantation practices and the integration of production and biodiversity protection 5 Training objectives in forestry. This provided participants with the chance to experience the sustainable use of biodiversity in a dierent setting.

5.3 Training for trainers

Eleven trainers from the three provinces in which the project worked were trained on how to In order to build upon the research results and improve the actual state of train foresters and farmers on biodiversity-friendly techniques and practices, and a training biodiversity in productive forests in the provinces, the project organized a series of manual was developed by the project specically for training trainers. In addition, 40 trainers training courses for farmers, forestry officials and policymakers. These focused from other provinces were also trained in biodiversity and conservation issues. They came upon raising knowledge of biodiversity, teaching biodiversity-friendly methods of from Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui and Jiangxi, which make up the major bamboo producing farming and encouraging participants to take these up. provinces in China.

5.1 Training for farmers Due to the large extent of bamboo forests in Southern China, lessons learnt under the project are highly relevance for the sector as a whole and are likely to be increasingly used, as the Farmers in villages near the demonstration sites were trained in dierent techniques for negative eects of intensive practices are becoming better known. bamboo farming which would improve both their incomes and provide environmental benets for the forests. This included sustainable harvesting of bamboo, clearing of other An important outcome of the training activities is the raised awareness amongst farmers and plants and undergrowth species, and application of external inputs into the bamboo forest. forestry department workers of biodiversity and its importance in providing services which the The trainings were well attended, with over 130 farmers in Hunan and Sichuan joining the long-term sustainability of bamboo farming relies upon. While both groups were familiar with trainings on Moso forest management. aspects of biodiversity theory which interacted with their work, they [aid little attention to biodiversity in forests, feeling that biodiversity was negative for forest health. The training and In Yunnan, an approach was adopted which focused on providing examples of improved their participation reversed this thinking to a great extent, and raised awareness of the management of common resources. Visits to the Matsutake mushroom producing area of important positive aspects of biodiversity. Nanhua county were organized for villagers to see how the introduction of rules and regulations on harvesting could result in mutual benets being created. Training was also The project has also helped raise the capacity of bureau and department sta in running provided on how to recognize the age of dierent shoots, and how to harvest these at an projects, organizing events and undertaking activities related to biodiversity. Sta in the appropriate level. In total, 300 farmers were trained by the project for 550 person-days on departments have received training on running international programmes, and are therefore biodiversity conservation in bamboo forests. more willing to apply for and succeed in running similar programmes in the future.

29 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 30 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

5.2 Training for forestry officials

5.3 Training for trainers

29 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 30 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Recommendations published by China Forestry Press 1. The denition of bamboo, and bamboo forests and references to them in legislation 2. Management of property rights in bamboo forests 3. Biodiversity protection management systems and mechanisms 4. The system and mechanisms in place for the requisition and occupation of forestland 5. Investment in bamboo forest biodiversity conservation 6. The protection of rare and endangered bamboo resources 7. Introducing bamboo resource cultivation and management policy 8. Multifunctional use of bamboo forests 9. Protection of bamboo forest biodiversity in nature reserves 10. Community participation mechanisms on bamboo forest biodiversity protection 11. Compensation mechanisms for forests (and bamboo forest) ecological benets 12. The State’s technology support system 13. Publicity and education on the conservation of biodiversity in bamboo forests

English-language policy recommendations: The recommendations were published in English for the benet of international stakeholders, including policymakers in other 6 Policy Research countries interested in policy approaches for the management of ecosystems containing

bamboo. INBAR presented the policy ndings of the project at the 10th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 10) held in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010. Over 500 copies of the publication have been distributed so far and inquiries about the publication have been received from governments, international organizations, plantation managers and enthusiasts. For instance, lessons from the The aim of the policy analysis was to determine links between policies in place and project cited in the report were used for the sustainable establishment of bamboo the biodiversity outcomes and impacts on bamboo forests. Data was gathered plantations in Central America by a private company2. through reviews of reports and published information, interviews with officials and policymakers, and other stakeholders. 6.2 Policy Recommendations for Qiong Bamboo

6.1 Policy recommendations for bamboo forest biodiversity in China Given the rapid decline of Qiong bamboo resources due to overharvesting, and the fact that it grows in areas which are remote and poor, it was felt that a specic set of A holistic analysis of the bamboo sector and related policy areas was undertaken. recommendations and policies were needed – these were provided to local ocials and Although much of this focused upon Moso forests, it also included Qiong bamboo and through trainings. The policies covered both the reform of rights and responsibilities for non-commercial species which may require in-situ and ex-situ conservation. As a result, 13 Qiong bamboo resources by the villagers, and how the local forestry bureau could act to recommendations were made to improve on the current policies in place. These were better protect the resource through harvesting regulations and other measures. To date, submitted to the forestry authorities and published by the China Forestry Press. some of the harvesting restrictions have been put in place, and it is expected that with further action planned to be undertaken by the local forestry bureau, more changes will Draft recommendations were presented for discussion to the State Forestry come into eect which will better protect the Qiong bamboo resource. In a survey of local Administration at an advisory workshop in July 2009 in Beijing, and the nal versions forestry policy makers after the end of the project, 92% considered the exercise and submitted in 2010. They were also sent to the ECBP Project Oce for communication to recommendations useful and would put more focus upon biodiversity conservation of central government within the framework of the generally envisaged framework of Qiong bamboo in their work. improved biodiversity management in China. 2Ecoplanet Bamboo, 2011. Bamboo Worldwide- The current market and future potential, http://www.ecoplanet- bamboo.net/bamboo-worldwide [Accessed October 2, 2011]

31 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 32 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Declining protability of monoculture forests

Concurrently, monoculture bamboo forests face higher risks of damage than mixed forests. Monocultures are more susceptible to disasters from diseases, insects and storms, which can lead to loss of investment put into management of forests. In addition, damaged forests need to be cleared in order for new shoots to re-establish, representing a further loss in terms of income foregone from other activities. Furthermore, bamboo forests that are managed intensively over long periods (10+ years) show falling levels of productivity. It is likely that the reduced output from forest systems due to productivity decline and damage to forests exceed the benets from farming forests intensively.

Changing roles and values of forests

Forests provide multiple roles and services to local and global communities which can change at di erent stages of development. While bamboo forests have had an important 7 Lessons learnt for bamboo production function (in terms of supplying bamboo timber and shoots) for trade and development income generation, other services such as watershed protection, biodiversity protection and carbon sequestration are being seen as increasingly important. Mixed bamboo forests

are able to provide some of these services better than intensively managed bamboo monocultures.

High costs of mixed forest re-establishment and expansion control Although the project targeted the situation in bamboo forests in China, there are lessons to be drawn which have implications for development of the bamboo Once bamboo monocultures are established, it is dicult for other tree species to grow sector in other countries. In Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Laos, the due to the dense canopy. In areas where mixed forests are wanted, introduction of other Philippines, and Vietnam but also in other regions which have the potential and tree species to recreate mixed forests is therefore needed, which can be relatively costly. ambition to develop bamboo forests, such as in East Africa and Latin America, the For example, such activities are ongoing in Lin’an, Zhejiang province, with economic tree way in which bamboo plantations are developed requires consideration of their species such as hickory, introduced at government expense. long term sustainability and effects on the local environment. Where the protability and public interest in bamboo forest management has declined, bamboo forests can also encroach into other ecosystems, resulting in unwelcome changes Rising costs of managing monoculture forests in these. This is particularly the case in Japan, where Moso bamboo was widely introduced and managed in the 19th and 20th centuries, but has become increasingly unmanaged in While monoculture bamboo forests are easier to manage and provide higher incomes to recent years. Bamboo forests are expanding into other forests and grasslands, the control farmers in the short run, over a longer period of time, these benets can diminish as the of which is only possible through repeated cutting, but often this now requires public costs of management increase. Additional costs come from both the need to add funding. While this situation has not yet appeared in China, the potential e ects of decline additional fertilizers to replenish nutrient levels lost through erosion or clearance of in bamboo management on local ecosystems need to be taken into consideration. other vegetation, as well as extra disease prevention measures which are needed as monocultures lose some of the natural defenses of mixed forests.

33 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 34 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Declining protability of monoculture forests

Changing roles and values of forests

are able to provide some of these services better than intensively managed bamboo monocultures.

33 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 34 A role for government guidelines and recommended practices in forest management

In the past, forestry extension and support has focused on bamboo forest productivity. A national standard on farming bamboo has been drawn up by forestry authorities and recommended at local levels, emphasizing maximizing of productivity. In some areas, restrictions have existed on the cutting of non-bamboo trees in forested areas, however in others these have not existed or not been enforced, leading to the clearing of other trees by farmers who have management rights over their land. While the prots from intensive bamboo farming go to farmers, the long term costs described above are likely to have to be met by governments from public funds. In order to engender more sustainable practices in farming practices, forestry authorities in bamboo producing areas need to be aware of these issues and create incentives for farmers to manage forests with a longer term perspective. Mechanisms to do this include providing assurances of long term management or ownership rights to farmers, provision of education on environmental values of forests, subsidies for landscape management and potentially the establishment Conclusions 8

of enforceable restrictions on removal of non-bamboo timber species.

Although the outcomes of the project are dicult to evaluate comprehensively so soon after its completion, as the major project focusing on forest biodiversity under the EU China Biodiversity Project, the project has clearly been important in raising awareness of biodiversity both within the counties and provinces in which it has been operating in the forestry sector in China, and amongst bamboo and biodiversity practitioner communities globally. With a low initial level of awareness of the importance of biodiversity, this is arguably one of the most important results of the work.

At the general level, one of the most important achievements of the larger ECBP project has been the inclusion of biodiversity into the text of China’s 12th, 5-Year Plan, which is an important step in promoting widespread recognition of the importance of biodiversity management. Similarly, the eorts made under the project to bring biodiversity to the discussion table of the forestry sector, and especially those concerned with planning the development of the bamboo sector, is an important achievement. The contributions of the project to scientic research on ecological and management aspects of bamboo biodiversity, the participation in national and international events, the hosting of workshops at the provincial and central level and the establishment of a forum for knowledge-sharing have all contributed to this.

35 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 36 A role for government guidelines and recommended practices in forest management

of enforceable restrictions on removal of non-bamboo timber species.

35 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 36 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

At the same time, training on biodiversity for forestry o cials and workers at the county, provincial and national level was undertaken in order to translate the theory and wider goals into the approaches used when planning and regulating forestry management. Training of trainers was necessary to ensure sustainability of the lessons learnt under the project, and the encouraging gure of 92% of trainers wanting to conduct more training on the topic highlights a high level of understanding of the importance in retaining biodiverse forests. It is therefore highly likely that those who have been trained will not advocate the establishment of pure monocultures as a routine anymore, and place emphasis on keeping mixed forests as a forestry objective. At the village level, training of villagers on methods was successful in introducing farming techniques which were both good for biodiversity and for income generation. Whilst training on farming practices seems to have generated positive results and are being taken up by farmers, it is too early to tell what the e ects of this will be in the long run.

In terms of policy, the project’s research and analysis into the range of land-use, property rights, research, nancing, classication, education and economic policies has provided a broad perspective on the various issues which a ect biodiversity and bamboo forests. The resulting picture is a complex one, partly as a result of fragmentation in policies targeting bamboo forest ownership and a lag between the existence of policies which emphasize reform of certain areas and their implementation. The publication of 13 policy recommendations and their submission to the central forestry authorities in China provides further clarication of the major issues and highlights some of the areas which need addressing. The submission of these to the central authorities and local authorities introduces strong reasoning to change inappropriate or unclear policy, and it is expected that changes will be introduced, albeit slowly, further emphasizing the importance of retaining mixed forests.

Thus far, there has been relatively little change in the regulation governing the bamboo forests. However, through engaging policymakers directly in the compilation of reports, and subsequently submission of the outcomes to the appropriate authorities, it is clear that policymakers are more aware of the issues and the problems related to advocating monoculture forestry.

37 38 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

The county authorities have established a new project on Qiong bamboo management that aims to improve the outputs of low-yielding Qiong bamboo forests using the management practices the project introduced, such as restructuring stand density, managing fertilizer and nutrients, controlling shoot harvesting managing non-bamboo vegetation. These practices have been applied to more than 2000 hectares of Qiong bamboo forest, with excellent results in the three years since the project was completed. The average diameter of newly grow Qiong bamboo has increased from 0.8cm to 1.2cm, the average height has increased from 2.6m to 3.3m, and the average yield per hectare has increased from approximately 750kg to approximately 2,250kg, generating additional annual cash income of 6000 yuan (1000 USD) for the farmers.

Guidelines developed for the harvesting and management of Qiong bamboo have also adapted and used by Shuifu County. Regulations restricting community farming have been issued to relieve pressure on immature Qiong bamboo forests due to overharvesting, and which are intended to enhance the sustainability of forest management. Southern West Forestry University, one of the project’s partners, has also has recently started a “Protection of Rare and Endangered Qiongzhu Bamboo and Recovery Technology Research for Degraded Qiongzhu Bamboo Forest” project to 9 Longer term results, 2011 - 2013 continue the work on the Qiongzhu protection and rehabilitate degraded natural bamboo forests in Daguan County.

Hunan Province

Four follow-up projects on Moso bamboo have been launched in Yanling County in the Yunnan Province three years since the biodiversity project came to an end. These have resulted in the project’s biodiversity conservation practices being adopted in approximately 8,000 Over the past three years in Daguan county, hectares of Moso forest, including retaining other woody species to maintain a mixed Yunnan, the sustainable management forest, protecting rare species seedlings in the understory, and stump fertilization. The practices and policy recommendations for area of mixed bamboo forest has increased by 5,800 ha., and now covers 24.8% of the Qiong bamboo have been adapted and bamboo forest area of the county. applied by local government and communities after the project’s completion. These practices not only have been applied via projects and regular technical training The INBAR project has acted as a promoter courses for communities, but also integrated into local forestry policies. Policy that has encouraged local government and recommendations and the relevant technologies for biodiversity conservation have been other partners to move from awareness consolidated into the “Yanling technical regulations and procedures for high level raising into action, and from improvement transformation of Moso bamboo stands for timber and shoots”, to prevent mixed of policies and production of guidelines into bamboo forest being converted into monoculture forest and to maintain biodiversity. enhanced technical practices in the eld.

39 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 40 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Hunan Province

39 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 40 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Point One: Convening an expert panel including INBAR, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, the International Center for Bamboo and Rattan, Nanjing Forestry University, Sichuan Agricultural University, provincial and municipal Academy of cooperation, county forestry bamboo industry research and development centers, and science and technology promotion stations, to explore bamboo industry research, development research projects internationally and domestically. Fourteen research projects are testing eight technologies for improving low-yielding bamboo forest, including improved fertilization, pest control and exploring integrated ecosystem management techniques and standards for bamboo forests.

Point Two: Using sample plots for a range of dierent demonstrations - 10 ha for high-yielding bamboo forest management and 6 ha for traditional bamboo forest management. These plots and the demonstrated eects of the dierent management regimes are used for the bamboo farmers on-site training.

Point Three: Implementing a set of technical practices: 1) managing stand density; 2) optimizing bamboo culm age structure in the forest; 3) appropriate fertilization; 4) timely pest control.

Point Four: Establishing a “service team” at village level for more than 500 ha of bamboo cultivation in the high yield demonstration area.

Over the past few years, the o cers and technicians promoting bamboo forest technologies in Changning have changed their priorities from promoting mono-cultured bamboo forest to developing mixed forests with higher biodiversity and improved Awareness of the ecological benets of mixed bamboo forests of the local forestry o cers ecosystem services. The local project o cer has been ranked the “ninth top-notch talent” has increased considerably and they now take this into account in development projects in Changning and has passed the assessment for senior engineer status, and biodiversity in the sector to ensure protection of biodiversity and enhance the environmental and and conservation has been recognized by the local authorities as important tools in ecological benets of the forests. improved forest management. Changning is now initiating a rare tree species Sichuan Province management plan, developing a “Sea of Bamboo” and panda research projects, and preparing a forest resource inventory. The Changning authorities have started six new bamboo projects in the past three years, all of which work to improve biodiversity conservation, and include activities such as promoting mixed bamboo forests in bamboo aorestation projects, adapting management of low yielding forests to ensure understory vegetation is retained, and using stump fertilization techniques.

Changning has proposed a "Four-point" mode for technology extension in accordance with a set of technical measures that provide unied guidance in the county.

41 42 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Point Three: Implementing a set of technical practices: 1) managing stand density; 2) optimizing bamboo culm age structure in the forest; 3) appropriate fertilization; 4) timely pest control.

Point Four: Establishing a “service team” at village level for more than 500 ha of bamboo cultivation in the high yield demonstration area.

Changning has proposed a "Four-point" mode for technology extension in accordance with a set of technical measures that provide unied guidance in the county.

41 42 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

ANNEXES Table 1. Arthropod species diversity in the two project sites

Arthropods in layers sites orders families species

Annex 1: Findings of Plant, Bird and Nematode population Yanling 19 134 383 Canopy layer surveys in Hunan and Sichuan Moso bamboo sites Changning 18 84 221 Yanling 15 96 268 Understory Changning 15 67 154 Plant diversity

There were 165 species belonging to 139 genus and 85 families in the experimental plots Conservation management for mixed Moso bamboo forest as in Hunan and extensive and of Hunan Province in mixed trees and bamboo forests. The highest abundance of species common management in monoculture Moso bamboo forest as in Sichuan were both was found in the shrub layer whose main families were Rosaceae, Euphorbiaceae and found to inuence the species richness of arthropods. However, conservation Lauraceae. The grass layer had the next highest abundance mainly made up of management has less eect on arthropods species diversity in the two layers than does Compositae, Rubiaceae, and Magnoliaeae. The main families in tree layer were Poaceae intensive management. (Moso bamboo), Rosaceae, Lauraceae, and Fagaceae with a total of 18 families and 33 species. The intensive management practices had dierent eects on species diversity in the two layers. The use of intensive practices led to an increase in the species diversity in the There were 81 vascular plants belonging to 72 genus and 44 families in the experimental canopy layer, and a decrease in understory. Overall, compared to extensively-managed plots of Sichuan Province in the monoculture bamboo forest. Angiosperms constituted bamboo forest, the impact of mixed forest conservation management, the intensive and 85% of all species. There were more species of plants in the mixed bamboo forest than common management practices on arthropod diversity is relatively small and without that in the bamboo monoculture forest. signicant dierences.

Impact of management practices on insect diversity Among the arthropods observed, the main pests in Hunan are bamboo oval bugs (Hippota dorsalis), leafhopper (Empoasca sp.), bamboo thorn gall mite (Aculus bambusae) Arthropods play an important role in forest ecosystems, but are also the most sensitive to and Nanjing Schizotetranychus (Shcizotetranychus nanjingensis). The main pests in ecosystem disturbance. Improper management can lead to pest outbreaks and lead to a Sichuan are bamboo sharp chest foam cicadas (Aphrophora notabilis), leafhopper signicant reduction in the diversity of arthropods. The prevalence of monoculture, (Empoasca sp.), bamboo bugs (Mystilus priamus) and bamboo aphid (Oregma intensively reclamation and weeding have become the major source of human bambusicola). disturbance, and may explain the continued outbreaks of pests, and hence the increasing use of chemical pesticides. When outbreaks occur, secondary pests rise to become major Birds pests and arthropod diversity in Moso bamboo forests becomes signicantly lower (Zhang Feiping et al. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). The bird diversity ndings showed that 34 bird species were present in mixed forests and 12 birds present in monoculture bamboo forest , while 35 bird species in mixed bamboo In April 2009, nine observation plots in Yanling County, Hunan province and Changning and 15 in the monoculture forest in Sichuan. While these gures have to be taken with County, Sichuan Province were set up to monitor the impact of management practice on some caution as they did not cover long time periods of monitoring, they indicate a clear insect diversity by using arthropods as indictors. Arthropod diversity was investigated by dierence in the presence of bird abundance in dierent types of bamboo forest. measuring species richness, abundance and diversity index. Zosterops japonicus found in mixed bamboo forest in Changning, Sichuan According to table 1, more arthropods families and species both in canopy layer and understory were found in mixed bamboo forest in Yanling than in the monoculture Lonchura striata found both in mixed bamboo forest and monoculture forest in bamboo forest in Changning . Changning and Yanling

43 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 44 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

ANNEXES Table 1. Arthropod species diversity in the two project sites

Arthropods in layers sites orders families species

43 Boosting biodiversity, enhancing yields 44 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Water inltration

types of bamboo forest Diversity index Evenness index Abundance index Figure 1b. The trends of permeability of di erent forest types in the Changning, Mixed bamboo 1.621 ± 0.158 0.899 ± 0.032 1.542 ± 0.553 0-40 cm soil layer (Yanling, Hunan) Sichuan Monoculture forest 1.325 ± 0.206 0.857 ± 0.048 1.847 ± 0.887 Yanling, Mixed bamboo 1.708 ± 0.179 0.914 ± 0.065 1.601 ± 0.660 Hunan Monoculture forest 1.422 ± 0.343 0.892 ± 0.039 1.724 ± 0.632

The root weight in the 0-40 cm soil layer was about 3 times as much as that in the 40-80 cm soil layer, and the correlation of understory plant diversity with root weight in the di erent soil layers was not signicant. The permeability in the 0-80cm soil layer in the mixed bamboo and tree stand was highest among forest types in Anji and that of the pure bamboo stand was the lowest.

According to gure 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, in Yanling, the lowest stable inltration rate both in the 0-40cm Figure 2a. The trends of permeability of di erent forest types in the soil layer and the 40-80cm soil layer is mixed trees and shrub-grass stand. Stable inltration rate of 40-80 cm soil layer (Anji, Zhejiang) mixed bamboo and tree stand in the 0-40cm soil layer is the highest, while that of mixed bamboo and shrub-grass stand is the highest in the 40-80cm soil layer.

In Anji, the stable inltration rate both in the 0-40cm soil layer and the 40-80cm soil layer shows the same trend: Mixed trees and shrub-grass stand is the highest, followed by mixed bamboo and shrub-grass stand, then mixed bamboo and tree stand, that of pure bamboo is the lowest.

Figure 2b. The trends of permeability of di erent forest types in the 40-80 cm soil layer (Yanling, Hunan) Figure 1a. The trends of permeability of di erent forest types in the 0-40 cm soil layer (Anji, Zhejiang)

45 46 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Water inltration

In order to study the relations between understory plants and root weight in di erent soil layers, the correlation of soil inltration features with root weight and the soil water content in di erent soil layers, the project has set up experimental plots in three di erent forest stand types in Yanling county, Hunan province and temporary plots in four di erent forest stand types in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, (pure bamboo stand; mixed bamboo and tree stand; mixed bamboo and shrub-grass stand; and mixed trees and shrub-grass stand) as comparisons. types of bamboo forest Diversity index Evenness index Abundance index Figure 1b. The trends of permeability of di erent forest types in the Changning, Mixed bamboo 1.621 ± 0.158 0.899 ± 0.032 1.542 ± 0.553 0-40 cm soil layer (Yanling, Hunan) Sichuan Monoculture forest 1.325 ± 0.206 0.857 ± 0.048 1.847 ± 0.887 Yanling, Mixed bamboo 1.708 ± 0.179 0.914 ± 0.065 1.601 ± 0.660 Hunan Monoculture forest 1.422 ± 0.343 0.892 ± 0.039 1.724 ± 0.632

45 46 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Annex 2 – Scientic publications resulting from the project

Paper Title Authors Journal A study on over ground biomass structure Zheng Jinxuan, Forest Inventory and of clone population of natural Dong Wenyuan, Planning, January 2009 Soil water content was found to decrease with soil depth for all forest stand types in the Phyllostachys pubescens in Haiziping Chen Chong Yanling site. The soil inltration rate at dierent depths was signicantly related to the An investigation on snow damage on four Zhao Jinfa, Dong Wenyuan, Journal of West China Forestry Science, January weight of the roots. The cumulative amount of inltration is typically negatively kinds of bamboo forests in Daguan County Mao Wenjun, Wang Li 2009 correlated with initial soil water content in the 0-40cm soil layer, although there is no A Study on leaf area and culm-form Zheng Jinxuan, Dong China Forestry Science obvious correlation between of them in the 40-80 cm soil layers. structure of natural Phyllostachys Wenyuan, Chen Chong, and Technology, March pubescens in Haiziping Duan Chunxiang 2009

Ecological status of Taoyuandong National Tan Yimin, Wu Zhangwen Scientia Silvae Sinicae, Nature Reserve July 2009

Eects of dierent cultivation intensities Guo Wenxia, Niu Shukui, Journal of Agricultural on bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) Zhang Yanlong, Li Yanxia, University of Hebei, April forest biodiversity Da Zhixiang 2009 Structure dynamics and quantitative Zheng Jinxuan, Journal of Nanjing statistics of natural Phyllostachys edulis Dong Wenyuan, Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition), clone population Chen Chong May 2009 Distribution pattern of natural Dong Wenyuan, Journal of Northwest Figure 3. Soil water content in four dierent forest stand types (Anji, Zhejiang) Phyllostachys pubescens population in Zheng Jinxuan, Forestry University, Haiziping Chen Chong January 2010 Jiang Junming, Li Benxiang, Impact of the snow disaster occurred in Scientia Silvae Sinicae, Nematodes 2008 in south China to the bamboo in Jiang Nanqing, Zhu Weishuang, Yu Ying, November 2008 south Sichuan Chen Xiuming 1. The PLFA (Phosphor Lipid Fatty Acid) test results show that, compared with the control Studies on the growth and rhythm of Zheng Jinxuan, Dong plot, the practice of clearing the understory + adjusting the standing bamboo natural Moso bamboo population in Wenyuan, Chen Chong, Journal of Bamboo structure in Yanling had the greatest impact on soil organisms, while traditional Haiziping Duan Chunxiang, Zhao Research, February 2008 clearing of the understory has the least impact on soil organisms. Jinfa, Lu Zhenhong The study of the necessity and feasibility of Journal of Bamboo certication for sustainable bamboo forest Lou Yiping, Li Yanxia, 2．The diversity index indicated that none of the management treatments changed the Kathleen Buckingham Research, March 2008 management in China structure of the soil nematode community or aected the diversity of soil nematodes. Journal of Sichuan Some basic theories involved in He Yaping, Huang Dengcai, Some of the nematodes function index results showed that there were no signicant Forestry Science and biodiversity conservation in west Sichuan Fei Shimin et al. changes in the soil nutrients and the soil health status in the few months after Technology, April 2009 treatment was applied. Thus the practices promoted by the project (see page 20) did The environmental eects of grazing and He Fei, He Yaping, Huang Journal of Sichuan its negative inuence on conservation Dengcai et al. Forestry Science and not aect the nematode biodiversity in the soil, at least not within the three year time Technology, March 2009 frame of the project. Bamboo as a pathway towards prosperity: Collected by library of probe into local people’s attitudes on Zhou Yan University of Copenha- 3. There was also no signicant nematode diversity between monoculture and mixed bamboo forest conservation in Southwest gen, Faculty of Life Moso bamboo forests, indicating that the changes of aboveground biodiversity and China Science 2008.08 that of soil nematode diversity are not necessarily synchronous. Resilience thinking implications for Kathleen Buckingham and VIII World Bamboo reconguring bamboo management and Lou Yiping Congress Proceedings governance Vol. 11-2. Thailand. 2009

47 48 Results of the EU-funded Bamboo Ecosystem Biodiversity Project, 2007-2010 in China

Annex 2 – Scientic publications resulting from the project

Ecological status of Taoyuandong National Tan Yimin, Wu Zhangwen Scientia Silvae Sinicae, Nature Reserve July 2009

47 48 Bibliography Acknowledgements

CHINESE NATIONAL STANDARD (GB/T 20391-2006), High yield Management Techniques for Moso INBAR is grateful to the EU for funding the project. The project team is grateful to various partners bamboo Stands, issued in 13th June 2006 by General Administration of Quality Supervision, and organizations for their continuous support and cooperation, which lead to successful project Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China and Standardization Administration implementation and outcomes. They are State Forestry Administrative, Sichuan provincial of the People’s Republic of China , eective from 1st December 2006 Forestry Department, Hunan provincial Forestry Department, Yunnan provincial Forestry Department, Research Institute for Subtropical Forestry of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hong, Y.Y., Chen, S.L., Wu, B.L. 2005. Bamboo forest sustainable management and main cultivation Changning County Forestry Bureau, Yanling County Forestry Bureau, Daguan County Forestry measures. East China Forest Management 8(19): 20-22 Bureau, Southwest Forestry University and Central South University of Forestry & Technology.

Lou, Y.P., Wu L.R, Shao D.F. Yan, Z.W. 1997. Eect of Long Term Management of Pure Phyllostachys We are grateful to the project’s short term experts and consultants for the technical backup and pubescens Stands on Soil Fertility. Forest Research.10(2): 125-129 to those involved in the project at various levels. We especially thank Mr Xu Yuanxin from Yanling Forestry Bureau and Mr Tang Senqiang from Changning Forestry Bureau who help share Zhang, F.P., Chen Q.L., Shi, Y.W., Fang, M.H., You, M.S. 2006. Relationships among undergrowths, post-project impact information. contents of chemical substances in leaves and arthropod community in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens forest, Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 42(8): 50-56 The team also thanks Coosje Hoogendoorn, Han Zheng and Heide Vanhanen for their comments on earlier drafts. Zhang, F.P., Chen, Q.L., Wu, Q.Z., Hou, Y.M., You, M.S. 2005. Composition and structure of the arthropod community in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens forest. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 2005,25(9): 2272-2283

Zhang, F.P., Chen Q.L., You, M.S., Hou, Y.M. 2004. Relation between management disturbance and undergrowth and canopy mites in Phyllostachys Pubescens forest. Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 40(5):143-150

Zhang, F.P., Hou, Y.M., You, M.S. 2005. Eects of dierent management measures on the composition and structure of arthropod community in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens forest. Acta Entomologica Sinica. 6(48): 928-934

Zhang, F.P., You, M.S. 2007a. Diversity and stability of the arthropod communities in dierent forest types of the bamboo Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens, Acta Entomologica Sinica. 50(1): 31-37

Zhang, F.P., You, M.S. 2007b. Impact of forest management on pest-natural enemy interaction of arthropod community in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens forest, Scientia Silvae Sinicae.

43(10): 90-94

49 Bibliography Acknowledgements

Zhang, F.P., Chen Q.L., You, M.S., Hou, Y.M. 2004. Relation between management disturbance and undergrowth and canopy mites in Phyllostachys Pubescens forest. Scientia Silvae Sinicae. 40(5):143-150

Zhang, F.P., You, M.S. 2007b. Impact of forest management on pest-natural enemy interaction of arthropod community in Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. Pubescens forest, Scientia Silvae Sinicae.

43(10): 90-94

49 INBAR Technical Report No. 34

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