An index to assess the health of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest

ABSTRACT

The health status of the Moso bamboo forest could affect the economic value, ecosystem functions, and long-term sustainable management. However, there are still deficiencies in the scientific recognition and accurately assessment for the health status of the Moso bamboo forest. Using an index system to quantitatively assess the health of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest can provide an intuitional recognition for the status of Moso bamboo forest. Here, the health assessment index system of the Moso bamboo forest was established by literature collection, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and expert questionnaire. The health index of the Moso bamboo forest was calculated by the comprehensive health index. The practicability and feasibility of the health assessment index system were then verified by the Moso bamboo forest in Anhui and Fujian provinces of China. The health index of the Moso bamboo forest in Anhui and Fujian provinces ranged from 0.50 to 0.83. The health index of the Moso bamboo mixed forest generally performing higher than that of the pure Moso bamboo forest. Only 2.35% of the Moso bamboo forest health index scored higher than 0.80, whereas 22.35% scored lower than 0.60. These results suggested that the health status should be improved in most of the Moso bamboo forest. The health assessment index system provides an important tool to guide Moso bamboo forest resource management and prioritize scientific research.

KEYWORDS:

• Phyllostachys edulis forest
• forest ecosystem health
• index system
• health assessment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available on request.

Supplementary data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13416979.2023.2241121

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Co-construction Bamboo and Rattan Science and Technology of Key Laboratory Open Foundation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Beijing (grant number ICBR-2020-04) and the International Cooperation project of Chinese Academy of Forestry (grant number CAFYBB2018GC010).