BAMBOO FOREST CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON BIOMASS CARBON STOCKS: A CASE STUDY OF ANJI COUNTY, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, CHINA.

The distribution of bamboo forest in south and south-eastern Asia is increasing. Based on Landsat satellite imagery data, rates and causes of change in bamboo forests and changes associated with biomass carbon stocks were analysed in Anji county, Zhejiang province, China. Results indicated notable increase in bamboo forest area and simultaneous loss in needleleaf and broadleaf forests as well as farm land between 1986 and 2008. Annual net flux of atmospheric carbon release from the increase in bamboo forest area was -66.5 x 10² to -117.6 x 10² Mg C year-1. One of the most significant causative factors of biomass carbon stock losses was the conversions of needleleaf and broadleaf forests into bamboo forest. In this area of study, bamboo harvested for production accumulated carbon at a rate of 0.86 to 1.83 Mg C ha-1 year-1. When carbon sequestration estimate in harvested bamboo was taken into consideration, the contribution of bamboo forest to the local carbon balance became significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]