Abstract
We established a workflow to integrate land cover maps from the 4th forest resources inventory project and slopeland utilization inventory project. Based on the latest aerial images, we implemented field work and set up 94 forest plots to reidentify distributions and stocks of bamboo forests in Tainan. Results showed that there are 10,254.7 ha of bamboo forests and 6,193.7 ha of mixed bamboohardwood forests in Tainan, mainly composed of thorny bamboo (Bambusa stenostachya Hack.) and long-branch bamboo (B. dolichoclada Hayata), with Longci and Lioujia districts being distribution centers. The average canopy hight of long-branch bamboo was 11.6 m, which was relatively lower than that of thorny bamboo (15.8 m). The average stem densities of long-branch and thorny bamboo forests were 12,397 and 5,700 culms ha-1. Bamboo forests in Longci District, with a total area of 3,167.7 ha, and representing 50.75% of the administrative area, did not intersect with a reservoir watershed or protected forest. Most of them were private and were located on mild slopeland which is classified as suitable for agriculture or animal husbandry, indicating that these areas could be ideal regions for timber production of bamboo. But the results of cadaster checking showed that the average area and ownership of private land have become more fragmented over the years, and this could have a negative effect on the management and timber production of bamboo forests in the future.