Abstract
Bamboo is considered useful for controlling landslides, but we observed numerous shallow-slope failures in forests of big node bamboo (Phyllostachys nidularia) in Sichuan, China. Therefore, we inventoried landslide occurrence and vegetation type along one valley. To quantify bamboo root anchorage, we performed uprooting tests and measured plant morphological characteristics. Landslide occurrence was greatest at sites with bamboo and young trees. Culm failure was common because of the high length to diameter ratio (242 ± 6). Uprooting tests showed that the maximal force to cause failure was small (1615 ± 195 N). Uprooting force was strongly and positively regressed with a combination of the predictors lateral root number and volume (R(2) = 0.92), and root systems were highly superficial (depth = 0.15 ± 0.12 m), contributing little to slope stability. In P. nidularia, which grows on landslide-prone slopes, surprisingly few resources have been allocated to anchorage. We suggest that this strategy puts this pioneer at an advantage on steep slopes, where it contributes little to slope stability and colonizes frequently formed gaps through vegetative regeneration. Fewer disturbances would result in subsequent secondary succession and dying back of this shade intolerant species.
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Claims 10
Claim · model-written summary
Landslide occurrence was greatest at sites with bamboo and young trees.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- Landslide occurrencee1
- Direction
- greateste1
- Setting
- sites with bamboo and young treese1
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e1“Landslide occurrence was greatest at sites with bamboo and young trees”
Claim · model-written summary
Culms of P. nidularia had a high length to diameter ratio (242 ± 6).
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- length to diameter ratioe2
- Value
- 242 ± 6e2
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e2“Culm failure was common because of the high length to diameter ratio (242 ± 6)”
Claim · model-written summary
Culm failure was common because of the high length to diameter ratio.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- Culm failuree2
- Qualifier
- high length to diameter ratioe2
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e2“Culm failure was common because of the high length to diameter ratio (242 ± 6)”
Claim · model-written summary
The maximal force to cause uprooting failure was small (1615 ± 195 N).
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- maximal force to cause failuree3
- Value
- 1615 ± 195 Ne3
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e3“Uprooting tests showed that the maximal force to cause failure was small (1615 ± 195 N)”
Claim · model-written summary
Uprooting force was strongly and positively related to lateral root number and volume (R2 = 0.92).
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Treatment
- lateral root number and volumee4
- Outcome
- Uprooting forcee4
- Value
- R(2) = 0.92e4
- Qualifier
- strongly and positively regressede4
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e4“Uprooting force was strongly and positively regressed with a combination of the predictors lateral root number and volume (R(2) = 0.92)”
Claim · model-written summary
Root systems were highly superficial, with a depth of 0.15 ± 0.12 m.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Organ / stage
- root systemse5
- Outcome
- depthe5
- Value
- 0.15 ± 0.12 me5
- Qualifier
- highly superficiale5
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e5“root systems were highly superficial (depth = 0.15 ± 0.12 m)”
Claim · model-written summary
Root systems contributed little to slope stability.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Organ / stage
- root systemse5
- Outcome
- slope stabilitye6
- Qualifier
- contributing littlee6
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e5“root systems were highly superficial (depth = 0.15 ± 0.12 m)”
e6“contributing little to slope stability”
Claim · model-written summary
Few resources have been allocated to anchorage in P. nidularia.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- resources have been allocated to anchoragee7
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e7“surprisingly few resources have been allocated to anchorage”
Claim · model-written summary
This allocation strategy gives P. nidularia an advantage on steep slopes.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Outcome
- an advantage on steep slopese7
- Qualifier
- this strategye7
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e7“We suggest that this strategy puts this pioneer at an advantage on steep slopes, where it contributes little to slope stability and colonizes frequently formed gaps through vegetative regeneration”
Claim · model-written summary
Fewer disturbances would result in secondary succession and dying back of this shade-intolerant species.
- Taxon
- Phyllostachys nidularia
Phyllostachys nidulariat0 - Treatment
- Fewer disturbancese6
- Outcome
- secondary succession and dying backe6
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim
t0“Phyllostachys nidularia”
e6“Fewer disturbances would result in subsequent secondary succession and dying back of this shade intolerant species”