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A natural and cultural history of this important and useful plant. We may think of bamboo only as a snack for cuddly panda bears, but we use the plant as food, clothing, paper, fabric, and shelter. Drawing on a vast array of sources, this book builds a complete picture of bamboo in both history and our modern world. Susanne Lucas shows how bamboo has always met the physical and spiritual requirements of humanity while at the same time being exploited by people everywhere. Lucas describes how bamboo’s special characteristics, such as its ability to grow quickly and thus be an easily replaced resource, offers potential solutions to modern ecological dilemmas. She explores the vital role bamboo plays in the survival of many animals and ecosystems, as well as its use for some of the earliest books ever written, as the framework for houses, and for musical instruments. As modern research and technologies advance, she explains, bamboo use has increased dramatically—it can now be found in the filaments of light bulbs, airplanes, the reinforcements of concrete, and even bicycles. Filled with illustrations, Bamboo is an interesting new take on a plant that is both very old and very new.
Just when you are growing used to the idea that hemp is the world's most versatile plant, along comes bamboo to lay claim to the title. Bamboo is used throughout Asia for food, furniture, household items, musical instruments, and much, much more. In the western countries its use has been limited to specialty items such as garden stakes, but increasingly it is drawing attention as a renewable form of fiber. This practical and authoritative text shows how to grow clumping bamboo varieties in any climate. Readers will also learn: -- How to grow your own bamboo timber plantation -- How to harvest bamboo shoot for the kitchen -- How to make bamboo furniture and fences You will even learn how to make your own pan flute.
Given its unrivalled position in terms of diversity, distribution and uses, coupled with the vital role it plays in the rural economies of several countries around the world, bamboo has emerged in recent years as potentially the most important non-wood forest resource to replace wood in construction and other uses. Concomitantly, the interest being shown in this invaluable natural resource since the 1980s has resulted in the accumulation of a considerable body of information through research on various aspects of bamboos, including the anatomy of the bamboo culm. There is, however, no comprehensive publication available on the anatomy of bamboo culm, with the available literature being fragmented, scattered and inadequate. This landmark monograph by renowned wood biologist, forestry expert and bamboo specialist, Professor Walter Liese, whose innovative work on the study of anatomical structure using advanced microscopy and other techniques has won him wide international acclaim, fulfils the need for a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on this subject. It is the first attempt to synthesize information from studies on this subject, many of which have been contributed by Professor Liese, spread over the past four decades. By identifying gaps in the current anatomical knowledge base of bamboo culm, it is expected to stimulate further research and to act as a prime mover for knowledge generation in the key areas of bamboo anatomy, growth and taxonomy.
Bamboo is a plant that occurs over much of the World. It is probable that billions of the World’s population see, eat and touch bamboo every day. Bamboo contributes significantly to the income generation of many poor farmers. Yet it is an “orphan” crop – largely ignored by the main landholding agencies – forestry and agriculture. This volume contains most of the papers presented at the joint Fifthth International Bamboo Congress and Sixth International Bamboo Workshop held in San José, Costa Rica, 1998, organized by the International Bamboo Association (IBA) and INBAR. The book is divided into four parts: Bamboo Resources and Socio-economics; Bamboo Propagation and Management; Bamboo Engineering and Construction; Bamboo Design and Utilization. The topics covered include varied aspects of bamboo, such as: from bamboo resources of Mexico to bamboos of Ethiopia; from bamboo afforestation of a mined area to bamboo as a food and fiber alternative in an island; from bamboo drippers to bamboo wheelchairs; from teaching architecture with bamboo to an international building code for bamboo; from silviculture of Guadua bamboo to flowering of Moso bamboo; and many more. This publication serves to highlight the usefulness of bamboo in aiding developing countries in their sustainable social, economic and environmental development.
This book provides the readers with a timely guide to the application of biomimetic principles in architecture and engineering design. As a result of a combined effort by two internationally recognized authorities, the biologist Werner Nachtigall and the architect Göran Pohl, the book describes the principles which can be used to compare nature and technology, and at the same time it presents detailed explanations and examples showing how biology can be used as a source of inspiration and “translated” in building and architectural solutions (biomimicry). Even though nature cannot be directly copied, the living world can provide architects and engineers with a wealth of analogues and inspirations for their own creative designs. But how can analysis of natural entities give rise to advanced and sustainable design? By reporting on the latest bionic design methods and using extensive artwork, the book guides readers through the field of nature-inspired architecture, offering an extraordinary resource for professional architects, engineers, designers and urban planners, as well as for university teachers, researchers and students. Natural evolution is seen throughout the book as a powerful resource that can serve architecture and design by providing innovative, optimal and sustainable solutions.
This book is intended for use both in the industry and the academia. It introduces the physical, chemical and the mechanical properties as well as the characterization of bamboo. Novel industrial applications in structural, non-structural, reinforcement, afforestation, land reclamation, environmental significance, textile, medical, geotechnical, hydraulic, food, pulp and the paper industries are addressed in detail. Bamboo has been used for centuries as a structural material as well as in diverse engineering applications, food and medicinal purposes, especially in Asia. As a natural fiber composite, bamboo has the potential for many developments in academic and industrial research. Current literature on composites tends to focus on bamboo as a plant or solely as a structural engineering material. This book seeks to bring together these two extremes and provides a holistic resource on the subject.
Bamboo has become a popular planting choice in recent years; its architectural features are very appealing. Nevertheless, some bamboos can be highly invasive and can impact negatively on the built environment and local habitats. This book outlines the darker side of bamboo's nature and offers practical advice on how to deal with it; it also provides an overview of bamboo history, biology and ecology, and highlights why planting some species of bamboo can be particularly problematic. Useful guidance for householders who have planted, or wish to plant bamboo, is presented, as well as practical advice for those wanting to rid themselves of the plant. Most people who buy and sell bamboo are not aware of how invasive and destructive many bamboos can be. This book seeks to raise the profile of these plants, constructively and helpfully.
Ecological Prospects addresses pressing issues that will shape ecological awareness and activism into the next century. From a variety of perspectives, the book explores topics such as how ecological insight can serve as a management model for appropriate economic development, the possible categories that can be used to determine land use priorities, working models for environmental activism, potential paradigms for spiritually attuned environmentalism, and the role of aesthetic appreciation in the development of one’s sensitivity to the environment.