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The primary aim of this research was to study the manufacturing process of bamboo charcoal briquettes following the principles of life cycle assessment. Charcoal briquettes produced from lowland bamboo exhibited good fuel characteristics, higher calorific value and fixed carbon, and low moisture content. The ash content was in compliance with the international acceptable standard. Bamboo charcoal briquettes from highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) and lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) had calorific values of 6785 cal/gm and 7106 cal/gm, respectively. Manufacturing the briquettes at an ideal moisture content for carbonization saves time and leads to a maximum yield. Bamboo bioenergy (briquettes) produced in regulated kilns using locally available materials have gained popularity. Bamboo biomass utilization contributes to reducing deforestation and creates employment opportunities in bamboo value chains, as well as and contributing to UN SDG 7. Developing sustainable bamboo biomass energy use requires informing entrepreneurs about suitable business ecosystems. This research should encourage the proper utilization of the biomass feedstock and should ensure a healthier environment through the supply of a renewable source of energy. The most relevant findings in the present work were the production of environmentally friendly charcoal briquettes and their characterization (proximate and calorific value analysis) within the context of life cycle assessment of bamboo charcoal briquette technology.

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, highland bamboo has been cultivated in various niches: farmlands, riverbanks, woodlot boundaries, and homesteads, and agroforestry systems. However, the biomass and carbon storage of potential of bamboo forests across niches is not well characterized in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the biomass and carbon storage potential of highland bamboo plantations in northwestern Ethiopia. To this end, a total of 60 circular plots measuring 100 m2 with a radius of 5.64 m were randomly established on the homestead, woodlot, and riverbank plantation niches to conduct the inventory. The biomass storage of bamboo was calculated based on previously published allometric equations. Biomass and carbon stock variations among age-classes and niches of bamboo forests were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent pairwise means comparisons of carbon stocks among niches were performed via post hoc Tukey test at p

The 2022 International Conference—Bamboo: A Very Sustainable Construction Material & the 3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Bio-Composite Materials and Structures—was held from November 8 to December 13, 2022. This conference was led by INBAR and INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force and co-organized by 37 other national and international institutions. More than 80 experts from over 20 countries delivered speeches or presentations to approximately 1400 participants from 81 countries and shared the latest research and development on bamboo and timber construction with them. The conference convened global architects, engineers, forestry experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policy makers to present the potential uses and suitability of bamboo, timber, and other biomaterials as conventional construction materials in modern society. This paper summarizes the key deliberations and findings of the diverse research, including the state-of-practice and the means of moving the state-of-the-art forward. Further actions on training, standardization, and research were urged to be taken to promote this industry.

Abstract Background Given the large bamboo resource base with considerable potential to act as an important carbon sink, Ethiopia has included bamboo in the national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) and Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) programs. However, little is known about the carbon stock and sequestration potential of bamboo forests. As a result, this research was conducted to quantify the carbon sequestration and storage capacity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica forests in the Lower Beles River Basin, northwestern Ethiopia. To this end, a total of 54 circular plots, each measuring 100 m2 with a radius of 5.64 m, were established to conduct the inventory in Assitsa and Eddida bamboo forests, the typical bamboo sites in Lower Beles River Basin. Biomass accumulation of bamboo was estimated using an allometric equation based on diameter at breast height (DBH) and age. Soil samples were taken from two different soil depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) to determine soil organic carbon. Results Results indicate that the mean biomass of the bamboo forests in the study area accounted for about 177.1 $$\pm$$ ± 3.1 Mg ha−1. The mean biomass carbon and soil organic carbon stock of the bamboo forests were 83.2 $$\pm$$ ± 1.5 Mg C ha−1 and 70 $$\pm$$ ± 1.7 Mg C ha−1, respectively. Therefore, the mean carbon stock of the O. abyssinica bamboo forests was 152.5 $$\pm$$ ± 2.5 Mg C ha−1 to 559.8 $$\pm$$ ± 9.0 ton CO2 ha−1. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of assessing bamboo’s carbon stock and sequestration potential for enhancing its role in climate change mitigation and sustainable resource management. The O. abyssinica bamboo forests of the study area have significant carbon stock and sequestration potential. Therefore, sustainable management of these crucial vegetation resources will enhance their role in providing ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation.

2021 International Online Seminar - Bamboo: A Very Sustainable Construction Material was held in November 2021. This was led by INBAR and co-organised by other 16 national and international institutions. Nineteen senior experts from 10 countries delivered presentations and shared the latest research and development on bamboo construction to approximately 900 participants from 74 countries. The seminar called upon global architects, engineers and landscape designers to rethink time-tested traditional bamboo architectural forms and related technologies, and use innovative ideas to reshape the global built environment. This paper summarizes the findings of this Seminar, highlighting that while bamboo is growingly accepted as a construction material, considerable efforts are needed to promote bamboo as a mainstream material. The state-of-practice is summarized and means of moving the state-of-the-art forward are discussed. Architects and engineers using bamboo all over the world should work together to contribute to the basic work of bamboo architecture research, standardization and industry development.

Land degradation by water erosion is a major problem in Himalayan foothills. Bamboos due to fast growth, annual culm production, dense root network and high litterfall have enormous potential for checking soil erosion. The establishment of bamboos using in-situ soil water conservation measure can be an effective strategy for the rehabilitation of degraded lands. The study evaluates the efficacy of different types of rainwater harvesting trenches (rectangular, semi-circular and V-shaped) in augmenting the growth and biomass of two important bamboo species (Dendrocalamus strictus and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) and their combined effect on soil and water conservation. In general, growth parameter in both the species was significantly higher under trenching treatments than the control, with higher values obtained in semi-circular trenches followed by V-shaped or rectangular trenches. Semi-circular trenches depicted 16% higher soil moisture as compared to control treatment (without trenches) irrespective of bamboo species. Soil moisture was 45% higher in D. hamiltonii and 25.1% higher in D. strictus as compared to fallow treatment during the summer season, while, in the winter season, soil moisture was 27.6% higher in D. hamiltonii and 14.5% higher in D. strictus as compared to fallow. In the year 2018, 40.7% of the trenches were silted up in V-shaped treatment, 52.4% in rectangular and 54.8% in semicircular trenching treatments. Silt deposition was higher under D. hamiltonii (50.1%) as compared to under D. strictus (48.6%). Runoff and soil loss were drastically reduced with the age of the plantation. No runoff and soil loss was observed after the fifth year of plantation thereby indicating the efficiency of in-situ water harvesting measures and bamboos in checking soil erosion. It is recommended that in Himalayan foothills, D. hamiltonii species in conjunction with semicircular trenches can be an effective strategy for land rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is the fourth most common health problem worldwide among women. Currently available biomarkers CA125, CA199, and CEA for diagnosis or prognostic evaluation of UCC have not got widespread acceptance., Method: Whole blood samples of 64 patients with UCC were collected along with 63 healthy females and tested for serum levels of HE4 (sHE4). A cut-off value for positive result 64.0 pmol/L was set. Statistical analysis of different clinical variables was done., Result: Serum level of HE4 has a significant role in the diagnosis of uterine cervical cancer. Its level increases with age, higher parity (P < 0.05), stage (P < 0.16), tumor size, and parametrial invasion. Negative result was seen with vaginal invasion, lymph node involvement & cases which had recurrence. Various histological types showed variable results. So the serum level of HE4 (sHE) level may play a role in the diagnosis & therapeutic monitoring of UCC. But the prognostic evaluation needs further studies., Conclusion: sHE4 is useful in the diagnosis of cervical cancer, but its prognostic significance is under the question marks. It may be associated with higher values in higher stages. Higher parity of the patient is associated with higher level of HE4 in UCC., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest It is notified that there is no conflict of interest related to this manuscript., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Carbon fractions under different bamboo species viz ., Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus strictus were evaluated to understand the potential of these different bamboo species in soil rehabilitation in Himalayan foothills. The highest accumulation of the different carbon fractions likes very labile (6.12 mg g -1 ), less labile (2.55 mg g -1 ) and non-labile (11.40 mg g -1 ) was observed under D. hamiltonii, while highest labile fraction (3.17 mg g -1 ) was recorded under D. strictus . The highest active (8.85 mg g -1 ) and passive pool (13.95 mg g -1 ) were recorded under D. hamiltonii . Higher carbon management index (CMI) was obtained under D. hamiltonii (186.04) which was comparable with D. strictus (182.66) and B. nutans (179.24). Among all the six species, D. hamiltonii had the highest buildup of active and passive pool in both the soil depths. Bamboo plantations irrespective of the different species helped in enhancing the SOC fraction and enhanced C buildup in the soil in comparison to the open fallow land and holds potential in combating the problems of land degradation and soil rehabilitation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Bamboos due to high soil water conservation potential are gaining increased attention in plantation programs across the globe. Large-scale plantation of fast-growing bamboo, however, can have important hydrological consequences. The study aims to quantify the eco-hydrological parameters, viz., throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), and interception (I) in seven important sympodial bamboo species in north western Himalayan foothills of India. The species selected include Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa bambos, Bambusa vulgaris., Bambusa nutans, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus stocksii, and Dendrocalamus strictus. Throughfall versus gross rainfall (GR) relationship in different species indicated high throughfall production during high rainfall events with r 2  > 0.90. Average throughfall was lowest (62.1%) in D. hamiltonii and highest in B. vulgaris (74.6%). SF ranged from 1.32% in B. nutans to 3.39% in D. hamiltonii. The correlation coefficient (r) between leaf area index (LAI), number of culms, and crown area with the interception were 0.746, 0.691, and 0.585, respectively. The funneling ratio (F) was highest (27.0) in D. hamiltonii and least in B. nutans. Canopy storage capacity was highest in D. strictus (3.57 mm) and least in D. hamiltonii (1.09 mm). Interception loss was highest (34.4%) in D. hamiltonii and lowest in B. vulgaris (23.5%) and D. strictus (23.6%). Higher interception in bamboos make them suitable for soil conservation, but careful selection of species is required in low rainfall areas.

Bamboo, a member of subfamily Bambusoideae in the grass family (Poaceae), is one of the most important nontimber forest resources and a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopian lowland bamboo ( Oxytenanthera abyssinica ) is an economically and ecologically important species which accounts about 85% of total bamboo coverage in the country. This species is experiencing population decline due to a number of anthropogenic factors. As a foundation step, genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow analysis of various O. abyssinica populations found in Ethiopia are studied using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. One hundred and thirty isolates of bamboo belonging to 13 geographically diverse populations were collected for DNA extraction and analysis. Heterozygosity, level of polymorphism, marker efficiency, Nei's gene diversity ( H ), and Shannon's information index ( I ) analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), analysis for cluster, principal coordinates (PCoA), and admixture analyses were performed based on the markers banding pattern. The results indicated high genetic variation (84.48%) at species level. The H , I , observed and effective number of alleles at the species level were 0.2702, 0.4061, 1.8448, and 1.4744, respectively, suggesting a relatively high level of genetic diversity. However, genetic differentiation at the population level was relatively low. Using grouped populations, AMOVA revealed that most (61.05%) of the diversity was distributed within the populations with F ST  = 0.38949, F SC  = 0.10486, and F CT  = 0.31797. Cluster analysis grouped the populations into markedly distinct clusters, suggesting confined propagation in distinct geographic regions. STRUCTURE analyses showed K  = 2 for all populations and K  = 11 excluding Gambella population. Using these markers, we found strong evidence that the genetic diversity of the lowland bamboo is associated with distinct geographic regions and that isolates of Gambella Region, with their unique genetic origin, are quite different from other bamboos found in the country., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2020 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)