Current Status of Bamboo Forests

According to Taiwan’s Fourth Forest Resources Survey, bamboo forests cover approximately 180,000 hectares, containing an estimated 1.58 billion bamboo culms. The species distribution varies by region: Makino bamboo is prevalent in the north, Moso bamboo in the central region, and thorny bamboo in the south. Data shows a high correlation between bamboo production and indigenous reserve areas. However, since the enactment of the “Logging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples Act”, bamboo production has sharply declined, with only about 300,000 bamboo culms harvested annually.

Advantages and Challenges of Bamboo

Bamboo offers notable carbon sequestration benefits; for instance, Makino bamboo can absorb about 22.32 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually. Bamboo also has a short growth cycle, making it more quickly renewable than trees. However, its inconsistent size and shape make standardization challenging in the market. Additionally, bamboo is susceptible to pests and diseases, requiring careful management and periodic thinning to ensure health and growth, adding complexity to production and maintenance.”

Classification of Production Zones and Harvesting Process

Bamboo production areas are categorized based on accessibility and harvesting feasibility: potential production areas (easily accessible, suitable for large-scale production), reserve production areas (moderate accessibility, expanded production when demand rises), and reforestation areas (requiring replanting and management). Harvesting is labor-intensive, and mechanized equipment like tower yarders can improve efficiency. However, restrictions from theLogging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples Act and labor shortages limit the available bamboo for production. After harvesting, bamboo is gathered for preliminary processing before being transported to processing facilities.

Government Support and Development Recommendations

The government should focus on training forestry professionals, including logging technicians, nursery and reforestation specialists, and machinery operators, to support the continuity of the bamboo industry. Establishing bamboo stockyards, industry platforms, demonstration fields, and an innovation service center for bamboo technologies would enhance industry efficiency. On the market side, cultivating bamboo design talent and promoting bamboo craft innovation would help preserve and modernize bamboo craftsmanship. Public infrastructure projects utilizing bamboo can further increase the visibility of bamboo architecture and industry, driving greater interest and development in this sustainable resource.