Research Article

Species-Site Suitability Assessment of Bamboo and Its Detailed Study in Different Agroecological Zones of Kenya

Table 6

A summary of species-site suitability analysis for different bamboo species currently planted in Kenya.

Bamboo speciesZone of optimal performanceZone of marginal performance

Oldeania alpinaeMountain ranges (LH0) of altitude 2,300−3,200 m a.s.l.
(i) Used for conservation only
Upper midland zones (UM1-2) and lower highland zones (LH1-3) of altitude 1,900−2,200 m a.s.l
(i) Ornamental and conservation use

Thyrsostachys siamensisCoastal lowlands (CL2-4) of altitude 1–200 m a.s.l.Low-lying midland zones LM2
Altitude: 1,000–1,500

Phyllostachys aureaVersatile in most of lower midland zones (LM1-2), upper midland zones (UM1-3), and lower highland zones (LH1-3). Altitude: 1,000–2,100 m a.s.l.
(i) Mostly useful as a live hedge

Oxytenanthera abyssinicaHumid lower midland zones (LM1-2), upper midland zones (UM1-2) and lower highland zones (LH3)
Altitude: 1,000–2,100 m a.s.l.
Humid coastal lowlands CL2-4
Altitude: 1–100 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus strictusSubhumid low-lying lower midland zones (LM3-5), including coastal lowlands (CL2-4)
Altitude: 1–1,000 m a.s.l.
Lower midland zones LM1-2|
Altitude: 1,000–1,500 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus membranaceusHumid low elevation zones (CL2-4, LM1-2) and low-lying upper midland zones (UM2)
Altitude: 1–1,800 m a.s.l.
Lower highland zone LH3
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus hamiltoniiCoastal lowlands (CL2-4), lower midland (LM1-2) and upper midland (UM2) zones with reliable rainfall
Altitude: 1–1,800 m a.s.l.
Lower highland zone LH3
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l

Dendrocalamus giganteusLower midland (LM1-2) and upper midland (UM1-2) zones with reliable rainfall
Altitude: 1,200−2,100 m a.s.l.
Lower highland zone (LH3)
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus brandisiiLow lying humid midland zones LM1-2 and UM1-2
Altitude: 1,200−1,800 m a.s.l.
Lower highland zone LH3
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus birmanicusLower highland zone LH3
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Dendrocalamus asperHumid coastal lowlands (CL2) and humid lower midlands LM1-2
Altitude: 1–1,500 m a.s.l.
Lower highland zone (LH3)
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgarisCoastal lowlands (CL2-4), humid lower midlands LM1-2 and low-lying UM1 zones
Altitude: 1–1,650 m a.s.l.
Upper midland (UM2) and lower highland (LH1-3) zones
Altitude: 1,700−2,100 m a.s.l

Bambusa vulgaris var. vittataAgroecological zones CL2-4, LM1-5 and UM2 zones. Performance depends on silvicultural management and soil moisture content
Altitude: 1–1,800 m a.s.l.
Higher upper midland zones (UM1) and lower highland zones LH1-3
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l. and above

Bambusa tuldaLM1-2 and UM1-2 zones
Altitude: 1,200−1,700 m a.s.l.
LH3 zone
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Bambusa multiplexLM1-2 and lower elevation UM1-2
Altitude: 1,200−1,700 m a.s.l.
LH1-3 zones
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Bambusa blumeanaCL2-4, LM1-2, and low-lying UM1-2 zones
Altitude: 1–1,600 m a.s.l.
LH3 zone
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.

Bambusa bambosCL2-4 and LM1-2 zones
Altitude: 1–1,600 m a.s.l.
Higher UM1-2 and LH3 zones
Altitude: 1,900−2,100 m a.s.l.