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Tai Shan was born at 3:41 a.m. July 9, 2005, weighing only a few ounces at birth. The first cub for mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and father Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN), he was conceived through artificial insemination March 11, 2005, in a procedure performed by National Zoo scientists and veterinarians.
Photo courtesy: Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian's National Zoo
Though they are one of the most beloved animal species on Earth, pandas aren't safe from the devastating effects of climate change.
According to a new study, projected temperature increases in China over the next century will likely seriously hinder bamboo, almost the sole source of food for endangered pandas. Only if bamboo can move to new habitats at higher elevations will pandas stand a chance, the researchers said.
However, if conservation programs wait too long, human inhabitants and activities could claim all of the new habitats capable of supporting bamboo in a warming world.
"It is tough, but I think there's still hope, if we take action now," said research team member Jianguo Liu, a sustainability scientist at Michigan State University. "If we wait, then we could be too late."
The researchers used various climate-change models to project the future for three bamboo species relied on by pandas in the Qinling Mountain region of China, which represents about a quarter of the total remaining panda habitat. These models varied in their specific predictions, but each forecasted some level of temperature rise within the coming century.
The results suggest that if the bamboo is restricted to its current distribution area, between 80 and 100 percent of it will disappear by the end of the 21st century, because it won't be able to grow under the increased temperatures.
If, however, bamboo can move into new, cooler areas (which will reach the same temperatures as current bamboo habitats due to warming), then there is hope. However, that all still depends on the extent to which humans can curtail climate change by limiting greenhouse-gas emissions in the future.
"All the models are quite consistent — the general trend is the same," Liu told LiveScience. "The difference is the degree of the changes. Even with very hopeful scenarios, where we allow bamboo to go anywhere it wants, there are still very severe consequences. Of course, if the bamboo has nowhere to go, then the panda habitat will be lost more quickly."
Many pandas in the wild currently live in nature reserves protected from human encroachment. However, almost all of the land encompassed by those reserves will be unsuitable for the bamboo if the temperatures rise as predicted.
But if conservationists plan ahead now to move those reserves in line with changing bamboo habitats, then it may be possible to preserve the land the pandas will need.
And climate change is not the only challenge facing giant pandas, one of the most endangered species in the world, researchers say. Human activities have already severely limited the animals' habitats, and their dependence on a single source of food, one that's not that nutrient- or energy-rich, doesn't help.
In addition to their native habitats in China, pandas live around the world in zoos and breeding centers. But Liu doesn't predict a bright future for the bears if they lose their wild habitats.
"To really protect pandas, you cannot just stick [them] into a breeding center or a zoo," he said, noting that the animals' genetic diversity would suffer, among other issues. "That's not a long-term solution."
The results of the study are published in the Nov. 11 issue of the journal Nature Climate Change.
Moso bamboo plantation. Photo courtesy: INBAR
The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) won the $200,000 US grant award.
Their press release says:
INBAR Wins World Bank 2009 Global Development Marketplace Award on Climate Change Adaptation
WASHINGTON D.C., November 13, 2009 - World Bank and Partners awarded the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) a US $200,000 grant for the project "Elevated Bamboo Houses Designed to Lift Communities Above Flood Zones" through the 2009 Global Development Marketplace, a global competitive grant program to fund innovation in development.
Increased flooding in Ecuador's coastal regions often destroy peoples homes. INBAR joined the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil and the NGO Hogar de Cristo to develop a plan to build 500 elevated flood-resistant bamboo houses. With the Development Marketplace Grant the partnership will not only bring new and safer homes to those 500 families, but also link 1,000 farmers and 500 builders with an existing bamboo housing supply chain.
"We will use a local plant, which is bamboo, and through technical innovation, make a more durable house, a permanent house for poor people", said Alvaro Cabrera, INBAR's Regional Coordinator for Latin America.
The project was rated by the World Bank as one of three stand-out ideas from this year's contest on climate change adaptation. In addition to the grant money, the partnership will also receive guidance and technical support from the World Bank as the project moves into implementation.
"Agriculture is where climate change, food security and poverty reduction intersect" said Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). "The Development Marketplace is an excellent platform for scouting and collecting new ideas from diverse sources, fostering innovative solutions, and developing partnerships in support of climate change adaptation."
Stilted Ecuadorian bamboo esterilia house with concrete foundation. Note: in the pictured example, esterilla refers to 'woven matting' of bamboo slats which constitute the building envelope walls. Photo courtesy: INBAR
Have a look at their website. They are doing good work promoting bamboo and rattan as sustainable building materials. Bamboo and rattan are much stronger than most people expect and make sturdy homes capable of withstanding the elements amazingly well. They are also helping people out of poverty by supporting home industry in countries and circumstances where others wouldn't.
House by Hogar de Cristo, Guayaquil, Ecuador Photo courtesy: INBAR
I just love bamboo. It is such an ethereal plant; and, nothing is more soothing than relaxing to the sound of wind through a stand of bamboo. My love affair with bamboo began many years ago when I first held a piece in my hand and could feel the life inside. Later I came to realize the versatility of bamboo and its hidden strengths. The more I learn about it, the more amazing it appears to me.
There are many bamboo species; but, they all share the same strange trait. I find it absolutely fascinating that every 20 – 125 years, depending on the species, a bamboo will flower profusely, set seed and die back. A complete die-back of a species on a regular basis is very unusual in the plant kingdom and this happens in every species of bamboo on the earth. In places where bamboo is an active participant in the local economy, there must be at least two or more species. This ensures that when one species dies back, the other can sustain the local population until the original species has a chance to grow back.
Strangely, bamboo is actually classified as a grass not a tree; even though they can grow to over 60’ tall. So, I guess us tree-huggers can be grass-huggers, too!
Bamboo has great resilience and strength. In fact, certain varieties have been compared to steel. Besides using bamboo as flooring, serving ware and furniture, some countries use bamboo in the construction of homes and even bridges. Pretty impressive!!
Not to be left out of such a good thing, the textile industry has developed many uses for bamboo also. Recent manufacturing technology has developed a method of turning bamboo pulp into fiber, which can then be transformed into a luxuriously decadent fabric. Designers both big and small are turning bamboo into blouses, T-shirts, skirts, pants, socks, baby clothes, sheets and towels.
There are additional hidden benefits to bamboo linens, clothing and other textiles. They provide 100% natural antibacterial protection. This is because of an inherent quality in the plants called “bamboo kun” that functions as an antibacterial even when spun into bamboo fibers. Throw in the added benefits of wicking away moisture, being more breathable than cotton, and thermal regulating (keeping you warm in summer and cool in winter) and; in my mind, it’s kismet.
North Americans are becoming increasingly aware of their environment and the changes that must be made in order for life on this planet to continue. As more and more people become eco-aware and increasingly eco-conscious, more research is being done into replacing our technology with greener options.
Many of the options we use now incorporate green aspects; but, is it enough? Many of these resources that we use now are renewable (naturally restock or renew themselves); but, our demand has grown greater than these resources can handle. We want more before they have managed to attain complete renewal. Its obvious things can’t on like this for much longer before everything collapses under the weight our greed.
Bamboo is thought to be the fastest-growing plant on the planet and has attracted the attention of eco-aware contractors; clothing manufacturers; textile manufacturers and furniture designers because it is considered to be one of our most sustainable resources.
It’s a farmer’s dream plant – some species can be harvested at 4 years (much sooner than a tree); requires no pesticides and is resistant to both pests and pathogens; continually repopulates itself through a complex root system that constantly sends up shoots (until die-back); and, finally totally reseeds itself during die-back so no planting need ever be done.
Bamboo looks like a good choice to me.
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