BAMBOO SEQUESTERING

Carbon Sequestering

There are over 1200 species of bamboo, it has been estimated that globally 68 million tons are growing. The quantity sequestered by hectare is a function of the species, soil, moisture, and geographical region. According to research studies, common bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) sequesters 11 tons per hectare annually while dragon bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) can sequester up to 70.11 tons annually per hectare.

The CO2 sequestered by bamboo occurs during the photosynthesis process. Carbon dioxide and sunlight are used to make oxygen and sugar molecules. The sugar molecules are used in the production of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose which account for the bamboo mass.

One hectare of trees sequestering CO2 can vary as low as 10 tons to 1000 tons. Trees tend to sequester CO2 more as they mature. Old growth like the BC Douglas fir or the California redwood increase carbon capture to support their growth to maturity.