Borinda albocerea

Yunnan's biodiversity is faced with the threats associated with expanding human populations, although extreme reliefs and isolation protect higher elevations in the region. The region is a biodiversity hotspot (Yuming et al. 2004). It is estimated that only 1,000 to 5,000 km² of forest remain within the range of this species (Bystriakova et al. 2003). Montane habitats in these regions are subject to threats associated with deforestation, over-grazing and mining activities (Stapleton 1998). Bamboos are an ancient group of forest plants which are intrinsically vulnerable to deforestation as they are frequently found in moister habitats in old-growth forests. Many Asian bamboo species show very restricted potential ranges, possibly due to poor dispersal mechanisms and isolation of populations in dissected, mountainous, terrain. (Bystriakova et al. 2003). This suggests that many uncultivated forest bamboos may be particularly susceptible to loss of habitat, and erosion of their genetic diversity, and may become threatened (Bystriakova et al. 2003). The ability of this species to regenerate and persist in disturbed and secondary habitats is unknown. Future climate change may affect the altitudinal distribution of this bamboo and potentially reduce its available habitat.

This species was collected within the Gaoligonshan Nature Reserve (IUCN category I and II), which is part of the World Heritage Site of the Three Parallel rivers of Yunnan protected areas. The area covered by the World Heritage site is claimed to have the most biodiverse and least disturbed temperate ecosystems in the world. It supports the richest diversity of higher plants in China and is an epicentre of Chinese endemic species (Lan and Dunbar 2000). Research on biodiversity, taxonomy and conservation of the remaining forest bamboos has so far been limited, as a non-timber forest product bamboo is not routinely included in forest inventories and very few studies of the conservation status of individual species have been undertaken (Bystriakova et al. 2003). Bamboo biodiversity conservation is now seen as a priority in China and taxonomic studies are progressing. Areas such as the Upper Yangtze watershed are receiving more protection, primarily for downstream flood limitation purposes. Conservation of forest bamboo species is necessary not only for their own intrinsic value, but also as a gene pool in support of related cultivated bamboos (Bystriakova et al. 2003). Stapleton and Rao (1996) note that the protection of natural populations in situ is the only feasible conservation technique at present, for threatened bamboos, as ex situ conservation techniques are  difficult because seed is infrequently produced and has poor viability, and plantations are difficult to raise and protect on a large enough scale.