When many people think of bamboo they think of panda bears and beautiful Asian landscapes- perhaps even some of the products we use that are made out of bamboo! While I too enjoy the unique display of bamboo, I have difficulty being passive in its intrusion here. I think bamboo can be a very attractive plant! It is unlike the wildflowers of the Midwest and ornamental landscape plants and grasses that we commonly find. However, when I step back and ask myself what benefits the landscaped bamboo is bringing to me, my neighborhood or the native wildlife and vegetation the answer is: absolutely none!
Bamboo grows very rapidly; certain varieties of bamboo have been observed to grow 4 feet in one day. Its rhizome root system helps it pop up all over the yard without your help or approval. Last time I checked, there were no pandas in Athens to help us put the invasive bamboo to good use.
Don't get me wrong! In the right location and with adequate research bamboo forestry could do great things! It is a very durable and flexible material that is known to withstand powerful earthquakes. In terms of bamboo agriculture, it regenerates quickly and efficiently (compared to some trees that may take 30+ years to become reestablished). Consumers can often find bamboo products that are labeled as 'sustainable'. However, exotic bamboo simply doesn't belong in the in Ohio.
As is usually the case- exotic plants bring exotic pests! The bamboo spider mites (what a delightful name) are durable little professionals when it comes to attacking bamboo. So now we have an invasive exotic plant that is taking over landscapes, it is difficult to control once the root system is established and brings with it an exotic pest. These mites are not going to have a system of predators (apart from pesticides) to keep them in check and down the road may adapt to attack more than just our exotic ornamental bamboo.
Proclaiming that bamboo doesn't belong here may offend some people. I may appear narrow-minded and xenophobic for making such anti-bamboo (and therefore, according to some individuals, anti-Asian) statements... after all America is the great melting pot (or is mixed salad these days?) of the world! But for the life of me, I cannot understand how such racially charged perspectives of native and exotic vegetation have pushed their way over top of basic ecology and responsible land management principles. It just doesn't make sense.
If you choose to consider this more social aspect to natives vs. exotics, perhaps you should consider this: instead of simply accepting every species of plant because it is culturally or visibly appealing, and relating the ethics of native plant enthusiasts to the Nazi party, become an ecological citizen.
Ecological citizenship recognizes where you live right now. As people, we rely on plants to help filter out the pollutants (that we most likely distributed) in our air, water and soil. Vegetation can be beautiful and fragrant, even restorative for our health and well-being, but we need plants to survive in the world we created. We may not eat the seeds, pick the insects off the leaves or overwinter in the plants spring remnants- but birds, bees, insects and spiders depend on the availability of particular plants. And although we may not like to admit it, we depend on the existence of these important pollinators and bugs! As ecological citizens, we have to set aside out ethnic and racial perspectives and do right by the forgotten and often unappreciated organisms that sustain us.
When individuals express their dislike for native prairie vegetation I do not automatically assume their preference in flowers is based on their personal prejudice for the Native American people that were here before us- living with and on the wildflowers- for food, medicine, clothing and shelter. I can only assume that they do not understand the importance of native flora and fauna- and why should they? It is not a skill-set or knowledge that we grow up learning. However, with a little more research and consideration of land ethic, we can make great improvements to our ecological system.
Ecological citizenship recognizes where you live right now. As people, we rely on plants to help filter out the pollutants (that we most likely distributed) in our air, water and soil. Vegetation can be beautiful and fragrant, even restorative for our health and well-being, but we need plants to survive in the world we created. We may not eat the seeds, pick the insects off the leaves or overwinter in the plants spring remnants- but birds, bees, insects and spiders depend on the availability of particular plants. And although we may not like to admit it, we depend on the existence of these important pollinators and bugs! As ecological citizens, we have to set aside out ethnic and racial perspectives and do right by the forgotten and often unappreciated organisms that sustain us.
When individuals express their dislike for native prairie vegetation I do not automatically assume their preference in flowers is based on their personal prejudice for the Native American people that were here before us- living with and on the wildflowers- for food, medicine, clothing and shelter. I can only assume that they do not understand the importance of native flora and fauna- and why should they? It is not a skill-set or knowledge that we grow up learning. However, with a little more research and consideration of land ethic, we can make great improvements to our ecological system.
"It is impossible for any culture to be sound and healthy without
a proper respect and proper regard for the soil."
~ Andrew Nelson Lytle
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| Bamboo sprouting up behind the house- getting lots of nutrients from the compost pile Photo by: Markie Miller |
http://www.calibamboo.com/whybamboo.html
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/giant_panda/panda/what_do_pandas_they_eat/
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1992e/eb1992e.pdf
http://www.livingwithbugs.com/PDFiles/bamboo.pdf
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