Human beings¡¦ attire evolves, starting from having the functions of providing comfort and keeping warm in the primary stage, and then it is for looking good and fashion; then, attire becomes the symbol of demonstrating personal taste, fashion and social identity; finally, it evolves into the tendency to demonstrate personal value¡X the value performance of health tendency, environmental protection appeal, and green consumption. As the era evolves, consumers¡¦ demand and preferences have different tendencies. Under the planning of market segmentation, aiming at the attire materials based on health appeal, we hope to understand further: in such an era with fast changes in upgraded techniques, consumers¡¦ preferences and prices, what factors make consumers choose and buy? Hence, when companies are making product and marketing plans further, they can make them exquisite and conform to trendy fashion. Therefore, this study has explored the key success factors aimed at developing attire of healthful materials. Through questionnaire surveys for experts and scholars on the study of the key success factors aimed at developing attire of healthful materials, this study had made two times of analyses of AHP verification and statistics, in order to verify and extend the gained results by AHP. The study results in the second time have been adopted, and the following viewpoints have been proposed at the same time: 1. As for the study on the key success factors for developing attire of healthful materials, through two times of AHP data analyses, this study is of the opinion that the key factors are the six items: ¡§physiological comfort¡¨, ¡§functionality capability¡¨, ¡§manufacturing quality and craft techniques¡¨, ¡§style and design, ergonomics¡¨, ¡§user experience¡¨ and ¡§price¡¨. 2. In the evaluation indicators chosen for the third-layer reference plan in the structure of this study, when the direction is based on developing attire of healthful materials, obviously silk material is superior to organic cotton, while organic cotton is superior to bamboo-carbon fiber. 3. Under different considerations, silk material possesses considerably large advantage in the four key factors: ¡§physiological comfort¡¨, ¡§manufacturing quality and craft techniques¡¨, ¡§user experience¡¨ , and ¡§declaring personality and personal value¡¨. Organic cotton also possesses considerable advantage in the factors of ¡§style and design, ergonomics¡¨, and ¡§brand¡¨. Bamboo-carbon material has advantage of product development in the three items: ¡§price¡¨, ¡§trendy fashion¡¨, and ¡§functionality capability¡¨.

[pt] Atualmente o mundo enfrenta uma grave crise ambiental e elevados índices de pobreza. Com a intenção de minimizar estes problemas esta Tese propõe a alternativa do uso do bambu como armadura em pilares de concreto armado, substituindo o aço em construções civis. O comportamento dos pilares de concreto armado é descrito através de uma revisão bibliográfica e de ensaios realizados em pilares curtos submetidos à carga axial, dos quais três foram armados com bambu e um com aço. Abordam-se aspectos relativos à taxa de armadura longitudinal, a resistência do bambu à compressão e a aderência entre bambu e concreto, para isto ensaios complementares em ripas pequenas de bambu sob carga de compressão centrada e testes de arrancamento utilizando o produto sikadur 32 gel para acrescentar aderência ao bambu e constatar sua eficiência, foram realizados e comparados com um corpo de prova armado com aço. Os pilares de concreto armados com bambu e aço foram comparados e analisados. Segundo recomendações das normas trabalhos futuros foram propostos. / [en] Nowadays the world faces a serious environmental crisis and high poverty rates. Intending to minimize these problems, this thesis proposes the alternative usage of bamboo as reinforcement on columns of reinforced concrete, substituting steel in civil constructions. The reinforced concrete columns performance is described through a bibliographical revision and experiments done on short columns submited to axial load: three were built with bamboo and one with steel. Aspects related to the surcharge of longitudinal reinforcement, bamboo resistance to compression and adherence between bamboo and concrete are discussed extensively. With this purpose, subsequent experiments were made using small chips of bamboo submited to strong centered compression and also, Pull Out tests, utilizing the product Sikadur 32 gel to add adherence to bamboo and appraise its efficiency, were performed and compared to a body of proof built with steel. The concrete columns reinforced with bamboo and steel were thoroughly compared and analyzed. According to the pattern experiments, future developments on this research were proposed.

L'objectif de ce travail est de proposer des composites totalement biosourcés à application potentielle pour l'aménagement cabine et conforme aux exigences REACh. L'utilisation de fibres végétales comme renforts de matrices polymères est une voie prometteuse qui permet de réduire l'impact environnemental, tout en diminuant la masse. Une nouvelle matrice polyamide biosourcée synthétisée par Arkema - Polyamide méta-xylylène diamine 10 - a été utilisée pour cette étude. Une étude préliminaire de composites Polyamide 11/poudre de bambou a montré que l'introduction du renfort ne perturbait pas la structure physique de la matrice. De plus, l'optimisation des propriétés mécaniques s'effectue en l'absence d'agent de couplage. Les composites fibres continues de bambou/PA mXD 10 qui sont également mis en œuvre sans agent de couplage, ont des modules de cisaillement supérieurs à ceux des composites synthétiques de référence fibre de verre/matrice phénolique, avec un gain de masse de l'ordre de 50%. / The aim of this work is to propose fully bio-based composites for a potential application in the cabin interior, and compliant with the REACh regulations. The use of vegetable fibers as reinforcement into polymeric matrices is an encouraging way to decrease the environmental impact, end the weight as well. A new bio-based polyamide matrix, synthetized by Arkema - Polyamide meta-xylylene diamine 10 - was used in this work. A preliminary study on Polyamide 11/bamboo powder showed the introduction of the fillers did not modified the physical structure of the matrix. Moreover, the optimization of the mechanical properties occurs with no coupling agent. The continuous bamboo fibers/PA mXD 10 composites, which were also processed without coupling agent, present shear moduli superior than the one of the synthetic reference glass fibers/phenolic, with a gain of weight about 50%.

[pt] O trabalho propõe uma investigação sobre a diversidade e as propriedades das cores e texturas das superfícies na natureza, focalizando no substrato terra em estados variáveis e em interação com o bambu. Insere-se no atual estágio da pesquisa do LILD, Laboratório de Investigação em Living Design – que estuda a aplicação do barro cru em construções, por meio de técnicas não industriais –, sendo a oposição entre a padronização decorrente do modo industrial vigente e a variedade (no caso das cores) própria da natureza o pano de fundo desta pesquisa, que reúne acervo de uma centena de imagens de terras coletadas in situ, processadas, armazenadas, identificadas, reproduzidas fotograficamente e impressas com máxima fidelidade. O acervo destina-se à visualização/contemplação e à comparação, e objetiva, entre outras coisas, demonstrar a beleza e a potencialidade plástica deste simples e ancestral material de construção do habitat e dos objetos humanos. Também subordinado à prática do design de informação, em questões que envolvem a transmissão de conhecimentos, o estudo relaciona conceitos de percepção da cor ao processo de identificação e classificação do solo que se desenvolve no campo da Pedologia, no qual a cor é um importante dado, indicativo da composição química e da gênese do solo. Cinco abordagens panorâmicas contextualizam e ilustram o tema. / [en] This study proposes an inquiry about the diversity and properties of colors and textures of surfaces as they occur in nature, focusing on earth substratum at variable conditions and in association with bamboo as a material. It conforms to the current stage of the researches at LILD (Laboratório de Investigação em Living Design / Research Laboratory on Living Design) – which investigates the use of raw earth as a building material through non-industrial techniques –, so that the contrast between the standardization which characterizes the contemporary industrial proceedings, on the one hand, and the typical variety (as in the case of colors) found in nature, on the other hand, is the background for this study, which comprises one hundred photographic images of earth samples gathered in situ, that were processed, stored, identified, photographically reproduced and printed on paper using the highest standards. The resulting collection is intended for observation/contemplation as well as for comparison, and aims, among other objectives, to demonstrate the beauty and plastic potential of this simple, primitive, material used in building the human habitat ands its artifacts. The development of this study resorted to information design, in subjects associated with the conveyance of information, and it connects color perception concepts to the process of soil identification and classification, proper to the field of Pedology, in which color is an important datum, indicating the chemical composition and genesis of soil, Five panoramic approaches contribute to the contextualization and illustration of the subject.

[pt] O bambu é um material potencialmente promissor que vem demonstrando grandes qualidades para a construção civil. É um material leve, flexível e de fácil manuseio. Sua leveza associada a uma alta resistência, torna-o um forte candidato para substituir o aço em estruturas de concreto armado. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a durabilidade das armaduras de bambu utilizadas como reforço em pilares de concreto armado. Foi feita uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o comportamento das armaduras e as formas de tratamento do bambu adequadas para o bom desempenho do bambu como reforço em estruturas de concreto. Foram ensaiados até a ruptura, pilares armados com bambu e aço submetidos a carregamento, em trabalho anterior datado de 2002. Ensaios mecânicos foram realizados em corpos-de-prova de bambu retirados dos pilares rompidos, com o objetivo de analisar sua resistência decorrida quatro anos em que essas armaduras permaneceram inseridas nas peças de concreto. Os resultados mostraram que não houve perda das características mecânicas do bambu nem tão pouco indícios de ataque alcalino em seu sistema vascular. Concluiu-se que o tratamento realizado superficialmente no bambu, antes da inserção no concreto, utilizando o produto Sikadur 32 gel, mostrou-se eficiente na manutenção dos índices mecânicos do reforço. Desse modo, pôde-se determinar a suscetibilidade do bambu à degradação por imersão no concreto, tendo sido esse reforço convenientemente tratado. É dada uma contribuição à determinação do grau de confiabilidade do uso desse material natural em estruturas de concreto armado. / [en] The bamboo is a potentially promising material that comes demonstrating great qualities for the civil construction. It is a light, flexible materials and of easy to handly. Its slightness associate with one high strength becomes it a strong candidate to substitute the steel in structures of reinforced concrete. This work has as objective to study the durability of the used of treated bamboo´s reinforcement in columns of reinforced concrete. A bibliographical revision on the behavior of the reinforcement and the forms of adjusted treatment of the bamboo for the good performance of the bamboo was made as reinforcement in concrete structures. They had been tested until the reinforcement rupture, columns with bamboo and steel submitted to loading, in dated previous work of 2002. Mechanical tests had been carried through in specimens of bamboo removed of columns fractured, with the aim of analyze its strength after four years, where these bars had remained inserted in the concrete parts. The result had shown that it did not have loss of the mechanical characteristics of the bamboo beyond not presenting indications of alkaline attacks in its vascular system. One concluded that the treatment carried through of surface of the bamboo, before its insertion in the concrete, using the product Sikadur 32 gel, revealed be efficient in the maintenance of the mechanical properties of the reinforcement. In this way, can be conclude after characterization of the susceptibility of the bamboo to the degradation for insert in the concrete, is not occurs if this reinforcement has been conveniently treated. A contribution to the determination of the degree of reliability of the use of this natural material in structures of reinforced concrete is given.

The bamboo is a tropical, renewable, perennial culture of fast growth and with several uses. However, its use and research is moistly restricted to Asian countries. In Brazil the demand for bamboo has increased in the last years. From November 2005 to September 2006, experiments were carried out with the objective to evaluate the ability of Guadua angustifolia to produce new plants from cuttings of secondary branches and clump division of two years seedlings. There were evaluated the sprouting and rooting capacity of cuttings with 1, 2 or 3 nodes that had been collected from secondary branches of the apical, middle or basal parts of the bamboo plants. It was also evaluated the effect of 0,500,1000 and 1500 mg. Kg -1 de AIB applied on the cuttings planted in sand, coconut fiber or a compost formed by sand + coconut fiber + soil (1:1:1). The multiplication rate of the shoots was not influenced by the cuttings planting position, the presence of leaves or cuttings density on the planting trays. The horizontal position of the planting cuttings increased the shoot and root length. Cuttings of 2 and 3 nodes collected from the basal and middle parts of the bamboo presented greater capacity of shooting and rooting growth. The concentrations of AIB and planting bed material did not influenced the development of roots and shoots in the cuttings. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / O bambu é uma cultura predominantemente tropical, renovável, perene, de rápido crescimento e com vários usos. Porém, a sua utilização e pesquisa ainda são restritas aos países orientais. No Brasil tem aumentado a demanda por matéria prima e por pesquisas sobre bambus. No período de novembro de 2005 a setembro de 2006, foram instalados experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade de formação de mudas de bambu Guadua angustifolia pelos métodos de estaquia de ramos secundários e de desmembramento de mudas de dois anos. Nestes experimentos foram avaliadas a capacidade de multiplicação de estacas enraizadas das mudas desmembradas e a capacidade de enraizamento e formação de brotos em estacas de 1, 2 e 3 nós, retiradas de ramos secundários das partes basal, mediana e apical das plantas de bambu. Na estaquia também foi analisado o efeito das concentrações 0,500, 1000 e 1500 mg.Kg-1 de AIB e dos substratos areia lavada, fibra de coco e a mistura de areia lavada + fibra de coco + terra (na proporção de 1:1:1). A multiplicação de brotos pelo desmembramento de mudas não foi influenciada pela posição do plantio, presença de folhas e densidade de hastes; o plantio de hastes na posição horizontal aumentou o comprimento dos brotos e de suas raízes. Estacas de 2 e 3 nós retiradas das partes basal e mediana da planta presentaram maior capacidade de formação e crescimento de brotos e raízes. As concentrações de AIB e os substratos não influenciaram o desenvolvimento de raízes e brotações nas estacas.

This paper aims to compare qualitatively and quantitatively alcoholic fermentation promoted by yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells immobilized in three inert supports: fiber of dwarf coconut (Cocos nucifera) and two varieties of bamboo (Phyllostachys caniço and Guadua angustifolia). The three materials were also evaluated on their use as supports. The process of immobilization was dumping of equal volumes of materials (two liters) into a suspension of yeast cells (in order of 109 cells / mL) followed by drainage and consequent food with equal volumes of must of molasses. The pH must was adjusted with commercial sulfuric acid to around 4.20 and received addition of 3 ppm of bactericidal for control of bacterial contamination. There was also addition of 10 ppm of nutrient for fermentation in all fermentative cycles. At the end of ninety-one fermentative cycles the process was interrupted, and observed that the three materials have proved physical resistance and that the efficiency of the process and efficiency of fermentation of yeast-coconut system had values above those of yeast-bamboo systems since initial stages, showing to be the fiber of coconut support for the immobilization of cells more efficient. However, around the cycle of number seventy-four, the three systems began to provide similar efficiencies, which suggests that there has been a gradual increase in the number of yeast cells immobilized in systems yeast-bamboo during the cycles. The counting of cells in free media fermented showed that there was satisfactory cell detachment related with the figures already cited in the literature. / O presente trabalho tem como objetivo comparar qualitativa e quantitativamente fermentações alcoólicas promovidas por células de leveduras Saccharomyces cerevisiae imobilizadas em três suportes inertes: fibra de coco anão (Cocos nucifera) e duas variedades de bambu (Phyllostachys caniço e Guadua angustifolia). Os três materiais também foram avaliados quanto a seu uso como suportes. O processo de imobilização consistiu da imersão de volumes iguais dos materiais (dois litros) em suspensão de células de leveduras (da ordem de 109 células/mL) seguida de drenagem e conseqüente alimentação com volumes iguais de mosto de melaço. O mosto teve o pH corrigido com ácido sulfúrico comercial para cerca de 4,20 e recebeu adição de 3 ppm de bactericida para controle da contaminação bacteriana. Também houve adição de 10 ppm de nutriente para fermentação em todos os ciclos de fermentação. Ao final de noventa e um ciclos fermentativos, o processo foi interrompido, sendo observado que os três materiais mostraram-se resistentes fisicamente e que a eficiência do processo e a eficiência da fermentação do sistema levedura-coco apresentaram valores superiores aos dos sistemas levedura-bambu desde os primeiros ciclos, mostrando ser a fibra de coco um suporte de imobilização de células mais eficaz. Contudo, por volta do ciclo de número setenta e quatro, os três sistemas começaram a apresentar eficiências similares, o que sugere que houve um gradativo incremento do número de células imobilizadas nos sistemas leveduras-bambu no decorrer dos ciclos. As contagens de células livres nos meios fermentados demonstraram que houve desprendimento celular satisfatório com relação a valores já citados na literatura.

Phytoremediation is considered to be an economically promising and an ecologically correct technology for the removal of toxic materials from the environment since it employs natural physico-chemical and biochemical processes for the clean up of degraded areas. Guadua angustifolia (Bambusoideae, Poacea), a bamboo that is native in Central and South America and which presents tall, robust and prickly culms, shows considerable potential in the phytoremediation of toxic metals for the following reasons: a) it presents an extraordinary capacity for multiplication and vegetative reproduction; b) it is efficient at fixing CO2 from the atmosphere, thus contributing to the reduction in the socalled 'greenhouse effect'; c) it is not part of the human food chain; d) it presents ornamental traits that can be used to advantage in the landscaping of polluted areas, such as those previously occupied by landfills; and e) the aerial biomass may be used either in civil construction or in the furniture industry after completing its phytoextractive function. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential of G. angustifolia for the phytoremediation of zinc and cadmium. The absorption and translocation of these metals from roots to leaves, together with their distribution in the different tissues, were analysed. Additionally, the production of metal transporter proteins (phytochelatins) and the formation of complexes between metals and low molecular weight organic compounds were investigated. The experiments were conducted in hydroponic and soil conditions. Soil that had been artificially contaminated with zinc or cadmium sulphate solutions, was distributed in perforated plastic bags. Bamboo shoots, previously maintained in vermiculite, were transplanted to the contaminated soil and kept in the greenhouse at room temperature for 180 days with periodical watering. The washed plants were dried at room temperature and root, culm, leaf and soil samples were digested with a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids (3:1; v/v) for 3 h at room temperature and for 3 4 h at 120°C. The determination of zinc and cadmium in the samples was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy at 213.9 and 228.8 nm respectively. Based on the absolute average concentration values, the bioconcentration and translocation factors (BCF and TF, respectively) were calculated. The accumulation of metals in organs of the plants cultivated in contaminated soil followed the order roots > culms > leaves. The accumulation of zinc in the roots was 57.2% (2720 mg/kg dry weight), whilst in the aerial parts it was 42.8% (2032 mg/kg). The accumulation vii of cadmium in the roots was 79.9% (770 mg/kg), whilst in the aerial parts it was 20.1% (194 mg/kg). Thus, G. angustifolia fulfils one of the criteria employed to define hyperaccumulator plants in that the concentration of zinc in the aerial parts of plants grown in contaminated substrate was approximately 20.2-fold higher than the average value found in plants grown under control (non-polluted) conditions, whilst the concentration of cadmium was 194-fold higher than the control value. Further analyses showed that the concentration of zinc in contaminated soil that had supported the cultivation of bamboo was reduced by 65.5%, whilst the level of cadmium was reduced by 60.2%. The high values of BCF (> 1) related to zinc indicated that the roots and aerial tissues had not attained saturation and/or that the transport systems were still active under the experimental conditions employed such that even larger quantities of metal could be absorbed and transported. Regarding cadmium, the values of BCF indicated that saturation and/or inactivation of roots had not been attained, as in the case of zinc, whereas this was not valid for the aerial tissues. TF values for both metals were low (< 1) indicating that zinc and cadmium transport in G. angustifolia tissues was not very efficient. One of the greatest obstacles to the use of G. angustifolia in phytoremediation of these metals appears to be related to the translocation in the tissues, mainly from culms to leaves. Although this aspect limits the applicability of G. angustifolia in the phytoremediation of zinc and cadmium, it is clear that this species offers significant potential since the larger portion of its biomass is represented by the culms. Such potential could be exploited by using appropriate agronomic techniques in order to allow the growth of plants in polluted soils, and genetic engineering technology to facilitate the mobility of metals from roots to shoots. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / A fitorremediação é considerada uma tecnologia economicamente promissora e ecologicamente correta porque utiliza processos físico-químicos e bioquímicos naturais para a limpeza de áreas degradadas. A Guadua angustifolia (Bambusoideae, Poacea), um bambu nativo da América do Sul e Central, que apresenta colmos robustos, altos e espinhosos, apresenta considerável potencial para a fitorremediação de metais tóxicos pelas seguintes razões: a) possui extraordinária capacidade de multiplicação e reprodução vegetativa; b) pode resgatar CO2 da atmosfera eficientemente, contribuindo para a diminuição do chamado 'efeito estufa'; c) não faz parte da cadeia alimentar; d) possui atributos ornamentais que podem ser utilizados no paisagismo de áreas poluídas, como aquelas previamente ocupadas pelos lixões; e) a biomassa aérea pode ser aproveitada na construção civil ou na indústria moveleira, após cumprido o papel fitoextrator. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o potencial da G. angustifolia para a fitorremediação dos metais pesados zinco e cádmio. Os processos de absorção e translocação dos metais das raízes para as partes aéreas e sua distribuição nos diferentes tecidos foram analisados. Além disso, a produção de proteínas transportadoras de metal (fitoquelatinas) e a formação de complexos de metal com compostos orgânicos de baixo peso molecular foram investigados. Os experimentos com G. angustifolia foram conduzidos tanto em condições hidropônicas, quanto no solo. O solo artificialmente contaminado com soluções de sulfato de zinco ou cádmio foi distribuído em saquinhos de plástico perfurados. As mudas de bambu, previamente mantidas em vermiculita, foram transplantadas para o solo contaminado e conservadas na casa de vegetação, à temperatura ambiente, durante 180 dias, com regas periódicas. As plantas foram então lavadas e dessecadas à temperatura ambiente e as amostras de raízes, colmos, folhas e solo foram digeridas com uma mistura de ácido nítrico e ácido perclórico (3:1; v/v) durante 3 h à temperatura ambiente e posteriormente por 3 a 4 h à 120 °C. A determinação da concentração de zinco e cádmio nas diferentes amostras foi realizada através de espectroscopia de absorção atômica a 213,9 e 228,8 nm respectivamente. Com base nos valores médios absolutos da concentração, os fatores de bioconcentração (FBC) e de translocação (FT) foram calculados. O acúmulo de zinco e cádmio nas plantas cultivadas no solo obedeceram à ordem raízes > colmos > folhas. O acúmulo de zinco nas raízes do bambu foi de 57,2% (2720 mg/kg peso seco), enquanto que v nas partes aéreas foi de 42,8% (2032 mg/kg peso seco). O acúmulo de cádmio nas raízes foi de 79,9% (770 mg/kg) e nas partes aéreas foi de 20,1% (194 mg/kg). As análises demonstraram que ocorreu uma redução de 65,5% na concentração de zinco e 60,2% na concentração de cádmio, no solo contaminado, após o cultivo com bambu. No que diz respeito ao zinco, os altos valores de FBC (> 1) indicaram que as raízes e os tecidos aéreos ainda não haviam sido saturados e/ou os sistemas de transporte ainda estavam ativos nas condições experimentais empregadas e uma quantidade ainda maior de metal poderia ser absorvida e transportada. Com relação ao cádmio, os valores de FBC indicaram que ainda não havia ocorrido saturação e/ou a inativação dos sistemas de transporte nas raízes, ao contrário dos tecidos aéreos que já se encontravam saturados. Os valores de FT para ambos os metais foram baixos (< 1) indicando que o sistema de transporte de zinco e cádmio nos tecidos da G. angustifolia não são muito eficientes. Assim, a G. angustifolia atende um dos um dos critérios usados para definir plantas hiperacumuladoras, em que a concentração de zinco nas partes aéreas das plantas desenvolvidas em substrato contaminado foi aproximadamente 20.2 vezes maior do que o valor médio encontrado em plantas desenvolvidas em solos não poluídos, enquanto que a concentração de cádmio foi 194 vezes maior. Outras análises mostraram que a concentração de zinco no solo contaminado, que havia sido cultivado com bambu, foi reduzida em 65,5%, enquanto que o nível de cádmio foi reduzido em 60,2%. Um dos maiores obstáculos ao emprego da G. angustifolia para a fitorremediação desses metais parece estar relacionado com a translocação nos tecidos, principalmente dos colmos para as folhas. Embora esses aspectos limitam a aplicação da G. angustifolia na fitorremediação do zinco e cádmio, podemos afirmar que essa espécie apresenta grande potencial, visto que a maior parte da biomassa da planta é representada pelos colmos. Esse potencial poderia ser explorado através do uso de técnicas agronômicas adequadas para viabilizar o crescimento das plantas em solos poluídos e de técnicas de engenharia genética para facilitar a mobilidade dos metais das raízes para as folhas.

I studied outer, middle and inner ear morphology in Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis).I compared studied specimen with other subterranean, fossorial and aboveground rodents and assumed degree of its adaptation to subterranean environment.

This thesis presents an examination of the interplay between bamboo and institutions of resource management in China, India and internationally, highlighting the need for greater diversity and scope of Western dominated forestry institutions and associated mechanisms. Firstly, the thesis aims to explore the conceptual understanding of forests and the exclusion of bamboo from this construction. The key reason this question is important is that it changes the 'technological zones‘ of forestry. Growing resource scarcity has meant that bamboo is now an increasingly important input in the global forest products marketplace. Secondly, the thesis aims to examine how governance mechanisms and actors respond to the inclusion of this new input. The thesis adopts the 'paper route'; the first paper traces the socio-historical reasons why bamboo‘s potential is yet to be realised, particularly within international policy. It considers the challenges of forestry being predominantly conceptualised as treed lands and the implications for the limited efficacy of sustainable forestry, carbon and trade instruments when applied to bamboo. The second paper acts as an introduction to Western produced forest certification devices, focusing on their transformation within forestry institutions and perceived legitimacy within China. The third paper focuses on a case study of bamboo certification in India. The final paper analyses the controversy regarding the efficacy of forest certification for bamboo globally. The thesis aims to explore these topics through three lines of theory. First, it contributes to institutional framing theory by examining where the idea of a 'forest' originated from and the consequences this has had for the rise of bamboo as a 'timber' product. Second, the thesis aims to further legitimacy theory in two key ways, by examining how the Chinese government accommodates and facilitates the differing needs of both international and domestic markets, whilst ultimately assuming a legitimate form of (institutionalised) domestic governance, and how the perceived input (procedure) and output (efficacy) legitimacy influence the potential success of current and future forest certification for bamboo. Third, the thesis seeks to provide a dynamic analysis of the role of certification through the lens of performativity, which uncovers how certification can create different realities for different actors. This thesis is timely and important for a number of reasons. Firstly, China is gaining more prominence on the world stage, both as an economic and political power. With increased pressure on forestry resources, the forestry administration is determined to upscale sustainable forest management. This requires adhering to global notions of sustainability thorough market mechanisms and ensuring a degree of autonomy of forest management through localising processes. Secondly, China recently received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) bamboo certification for some of the most intensively managed areas in the country. This has increased controversy amongst experts regarding the efficacy of the mechanism to truly bring about sustainable bamboo management. Thirdly, on a more global scale, one of the crucial issues with up-scaling bamboo management is the fact that there are over 1,200 species of bamboo, with three different rooting structures: monopodial (diffuse) sympodial (clumping), and amphodial (mixed) – which have distinct policy and management needs. Focusing purely on the large-scale, intensively managed, monopodial or treelike' stands in China would ignore the vast areas of small-scale, sympodial bamboo homesteads with issues regarding flowering and propagation of sterile species. Bamboo plantations in Africa, Latin America, and India are being developed, which require enabling policy and management mechanisms. With a global industry estimated at US$10bn, the implications of an inclusive and enabling frame for bamboo management could have wide ranging impacts for both natural resource management and livelihood development.