Describe the uses of bamboo

Most well-known for being the Panda’s main meal, one of the top uses for bamboo plants is as food. Pandas, in particular, have to consume 25-50 lbs of the plant in one day, just to survive. Even after consuming this much crunch, green stalk, giant pandas are lethargic due to a lack of nutritional value. Other animals that munch on bamboo plants include red pandas of Nepal and bamboo lemurs in Madagascar.

2.Construction

Because of its combined strength and light-weight, bamboo is one of the most used building materials, particularly in areas of the world where it is found in abundance. Historically and today, is an important resource to build bridges, houses, scaffolding, falls, floors, roofs and other structures. Part of its popularity is due to the plant’s flexibility – you can bend it, split it or shape it depending on your needs. It is important to treat the plant before using it as a construction material so as to avoid rot and insects.

When compared to wood, bamboo has some important positive aspects to consider. Because bamboo can grow on slopes and other areas where it would otherwise be impossible to grow trees, it allows communities to better utilize space. This is especially true when looking at the high speed of bamboo growth compared to other plants. Bamboo products have less eco-cost than hardwood and the yield of bamboo for biofuel is very high. Also important, using bamboo as fuel can provide support to local economies in less developed countries.

It’s true – another one of the top uses for bamboo plants is for textiles. Manufacturers shape the fibers into cloth, yarn, and clothing. It’s a popular material in boutique shops in the fashion world. But not so fast – often a garment is advertised as a “bamboo product” when it is actually rayon. Rayon is reconstituted cellulose fibers. It is a production process that is toxic and releases pollutants into the air. Extracting fibers from bamboo is time-consuming and expensive as well.

While the arts may not have the same tangible “usefulness” as other areas, the role of literature, music, dance, and martial arts have played an incredibly important role in humanity’s continued evolution and understanding. Not surprisingly, these artistic traditions and explorations involve bamboo. Bamboo slips are one of the earliest examples of writing in China, pre-dating paper. In India, kalams were pens made of the plant. It is often used in the construction of musical instruments including flutes, rattles, drums and the marimba. This useful plant is a weapon in martial arts practices. It has been used to craft bows, staves, arrows, and swords.