Bamboo life cycle of 27–28 y inferred from spatial congruence of mature-stage maps.

(A) Congruence as a function of temporal separation. Each point represents one pair of mapped years of the 33,100 km² study area. (B) Four of the mapped years spanning one full life cycle. Overlying the 2004 map is a hachure showing highly congruent extent of mature bamboo 28 y earlier. Gray is forest with mature bamboo at time of mapping, white is forest with juvenile bamboo hidden in understory, black areas were masked due to clouds.