Bobby Morse

Bamboo

Bamboo is a grass.

Holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest growing plant in the world (1.2 meters in a day).

Requires few nutrients to grow so it can survive in inhospitable areas to other plants.

Considered to be the “poor man’s wood” in Asian countries.

Background

The tensile strength is as strong or stronger than steel depending on the species, growing conditions, and maturity.

Absorbs 5 times more CO2 than trees.

Creates 35% more oxygen than trees.

Very flexible and can be permanently shaped.

Properties of Bamboo

Can reduce deforestation• Wood is scarce in Ethiopia so bamboo is used for

charcoal and building .• Trees take over a decade to mature.

Bamboo charcoal burns more efficiently and cleaner than wood charcoal.

Bamboo roots are very strong so it can help prevent land erosion and mudslides.

Environmental Benefits

Build homes• 30 bamboo homes in Costa Rica stood up to a 7.6

magnitude earthquake• Can make more affordable homes (takes less energy to

process bamboo)

Can be used as cables• Towing a boat with a working stress of 20,000 psi up

the Yangtze River

Natural pesticide and fertilizer.

Other Uses

Fun Fact• Used in guerilla warfare during the Vietnam war.

• The bamboo spikes were covered in human feces to cause an infection.

http://nimbuseco.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BambooForest.jpg

http://www.ecology.com/2013/05/15/what-can-bamboo-do-about-co2/

http://www.angelfire.com/hero2/vietcong/images/punji_bear_trap.bmp

http://www.barocharcoal.co.kr/data/file/e_charcoal/758260464_809be42b_img.jpg

http://www.guaduabamboo.com/making-bamboo-cables.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo

http://www.homedecordream.com/wp-content/uploads/well-cnstructed-bamboo-house.jpg

http://agsyst.wsu.edu/images/potboundlg.jpg

Sources