Bamboo forests in Yuhang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province @Wang Juan 

NRDC and Zhejiang Agriculture and Forest University (ZAFU) jointly organized an expert consultation meeting on sustainable management of bamboo forest and its potential on carbon sequestration on November 16. Participants included officials and experts from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization, Chinese Academy of Forest, and Yuhang Forest and Water Management Bureau. To support Yuhang, one of China’s UN Forestry Instrument (UNFI) implementation pilots, to contribute to the global forestry goals set by UNFI, NRDC partnered with ZAFU to conduct a research to examine the carbon potential of bamboo forests and forestry management in the pilot area. According to the research findings of ZAFU, the annual carbon sequestration of bitter bamboo (a local bamboo species) ecosystem increased 81.34% with one year of biochar-based fertilizer treatment. The treatment also helped reduce methane emission and absorb more N2O. The experts discussed the prospects and strategies of supporting climate actions through promoting the sustainable management, utilization and renewal of bamboo forests. China is a strong holder of bamboo resources. Proper protection, restoration and use of bamboos is a Nature-based Solution that can fight both deforestation and climate change.