A way for livelihood improvement: Systematic review on bamboo forest research

Abstract

Bamboo, widely known as "poor man's timber" or "green gold," is a key forest resource distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. It is vital for its social, economic, cultural, and ecological benefits, demanding in-depth research for sustainable development. Despite its potential contribution to sustainable development, previous studies on bamboo have been geographically and methodically limited, lacking a comprehensive analysis of its contribution to sustainable livelihoods. This study, employing the PRISMA method for systematic reviews of 127 articles, investigates (1) the distribution and trends of livelihood-based bamboo research and identifies knowledge gaps, (2) bamboo's role in livelihood enhancement, (3) challenges and opportunities in its livelihood values, and (4) strategies to optimize bamboo's livelihood potential. Through this review, we identified most of the research limited to Asia, with limited studies in Africa and Latin America. Out of 1600 species, most of the studies focus on only 83 bamboo species, noting their multifaceted contributions across all livelihood capital types: natural, human, physical, social, and financial. Despite administrative and technical challenges that limit its value, bamboo provides diverse tangible benefits, economic opportunities, environmental improvements, international appeal, and strong sociocultural ties. We advocate for resilient bamboo-based livelihoods through cooperative, participatory, and sustainable management approaches that integrate research and indigenous knowledge to navigate challenges and leverage bamboo's extensive benefits.