Are bamboo fabrics and accessories actually any better for the environment than wood or organic cotton?

When I was in Hong Kong about ten years ago, a Chinese environmentalist told me that huge ancient bamboo groves were being chopped down, the same way we were/are chopping down ancient tree forests here. He was talking about the destruction from disposable chopsticks, because the new bamboo accessories weren't widely made yet, but I assume the same problem would be present with the accessories. I know that bamboo is being touted as a "renewable resource", but so is ancient Redwood if you wait long enough. Has no one else been talking about this? What's the scoop?

Are bamboo fabrics and accessories actually any better for the environment than wood or organic cotton?
Be aware that most bamboo fabrics are not made directly from the plant, but from regenerated bamboo which is closer to rayon than to cotton. The comparison to rayon would be a good one from the environmental standpoint.
Reply:I would have to argue against cotton having the "least impact" as it requires bare ground and use of chemicals that have a heavy impact on the ecosystem. Report It

Reply:The difference between a forest of trees and bamboo forests is that tree forests grow so slowly. Bamboo grows to 400 feet in height in just 4 months. So which do you think is a renewable natural resource?
Reply:Well, neither are great for the environment. Both have significant environmental impact such as habitat destruction and the interruption of the food chain, however, bamboo is regenerated quickest, so i would call it the lesser of two evils. Cotton is quite renewable and has the least impact.
Reply:Bamboo is often used for flooring, etc., where hardwood is used because like you said, it's a renweable resource. The reason for that is because bamboo is a grass. If you cut it, it grows again. If you cut a tree down, it's pretty gone forever.. If you've ever had Bamboo in your backyard, you'll know that it kind of takes over eventually. So I suppose that's why some people like to use it over regular tree wood.