Bamboo is an important part of a biodiverse ecosystem. Many animals such as the Giant Panda (China), Red Panda (China), Mountain Gorilla (Uganda/Rwanda), Sumatran Tiger (Indonesia), Lesser and Greater Bamboo Lemurs (Madagascar), Bale Monkey (Ethiopia), Bamboo Bats (China) and the Agile Gracile Opossum (South America) rely on bamboo for food and shelter.
In addition to the mammals mentioned above, there are also many insects, reptiles, amphibians and bird species associated with bamboo. The spotted bamboowren and the white-bearded antshrike are 2 examples of birds that are found almost exclusively in large bamboo forests in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
The temperature and dark atmosphere in mature bamboo forests, greatly favors the establishment of different animal species and understory plants that prefer to grow in such conditions.
Thousands of animals have lost their natural habitat as a result of extensive deforestation. Bamboo forests can quickly create suitable conditions for many of these animals. Bamboo can also be integrated into almost any mixed agriculture, agroforestry and aquaculture system without having to eliminate native vegetation.
