Soil Physicochemical Properties as Drivers of Carbon Sequestration in Tropical Bamboo: A Systematic Review of Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, and Gigantochloa for Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Mitigation

Abstract

Soil physicochemical properties are fundamental regulators of carbon sequestration and play a critical role in ecosystem restoration in tropical regions. Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Change) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), tropical bamboo has gained attention as a fast-growing, high-biomass nature-based solution with strong potential to enhance soil carbon storage and contribute to climate change mitigation. However, a significant knowledge gap persists regarding how distinct soil physicochemical properties actively govern carbon sequestration within varying tropical bamboo systems. Specifically, comparative and mechanistic insights into key genera such as Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, and Gigantochloa lack a cohesive understanding, hindering the effective optimisation of bamboo-based restoration strategies. This review synthesises current knowledge on soil physicochemical properties, including soil organic carbon, pH, nutrient availability, texture, and bulk density, as drivers of carbon sequestration in tropical bamboo ecosystems, with a focus on these three genera. It further examines the mechanisms through which bamboo systems influence soil conditions and identifies critical research gaps. The review provides a comparative understanding of soil-bamboo interactions and highlights the role of species-specific traits and environmental factors in shaping carbon dynamics. Overall, tropical bamboo systems demonstrate strong potential to improve soil properties and enhance carbon sequestration, although outcomes vary across genera and site conditions. By linking soil processes with global sustainability goals, this review underscores the importance of tropical bamboo as a viable strategy for ecosystem restoration and climate mitigation, offering valuable insights for research, policy, and sustainable land management.