Canopy research is the field of scientific research based upon data collected in the canopy

Canopy (forest)

In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...

 of trees.

Objects

• Description of plant and animal species
  Species
  In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
  
   residing in the tree-summits. Mainly ancient forests and tropical forests are studied.
• Study of forest ecosystem
  Ecosystem
  An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
  
   dynamics, change drivers and other factors that shape forest systems.
• Collection of meteorological
  Meteorology
  Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
  
   data. Meteorological studies can help researchers measure the efficacy of forest canopies in offsetting global climate change. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service
  Agricultural Research Service
  The Agricultural Research Service is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture . ARS is one of four agencies in USDA's Research, Education and Economics mission area...
  
   have calibrated
  Calibration
  Calibration is a comparison between measurements – one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device....
  
   a model for forest canopies that measures and estimates the amount of carbon a forest canopy absorbs/releases due to photosynthesis
  Photosynthesis
  Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
  
  /respiration
  Cellular respiration
  Cellular respiration is the set of the metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate , and then release waste products. The reactions involved in respiration are catabolic reactions that involve...
  
  . The research found that the forest canopy shifted from a carbon “sink” (of net carbon absorption due to photosynthesis) to a carbon “source” (of net carbon respiration) following the defoliation of the canopy due to gypsy moths. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100331.htm This research helps scientists determine the role of trees in offsetting carbon released into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming, and the biological influences that impact it.

Research aims at protection. More than anywhere else the question rises here it's not time to find a transition to protection of the ancient forests finally. In comparison to research efforts very little is being done to achieve the actual goal of protection. On the contrary - researchers worldwide are logging and harming the forest themselves.

Chief discoveries

• 90% of animal and 50% of plant species in tropical rainforests live in the upper levels of the large trees. As many as 1000 different insects have been collected from one tree.
• Tropical forests require a minimum area to develop their crucial micro climate and to provide habitats
  Habitat (ecology)
  A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
  
   for larger mammal
  Mammal
  Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
  
  s.
• While grown forests continue to store carbon dioxide
  Carbon dioxide
  Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
  
  , young forests store up ten times more.

Canopy research is a relatively new scientific field which was hampered for a long time by lack of means of access to the tree canopies and lack of appropriate means of housing researchers.

Climbing

Climbing

Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...

 gear, tree house

Tree house

Tree houses, treehouses, or tree forts, are platforms or buildings constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level...

s, canopy walkway

Canopy walkway

Canopy walkways are bridges between trees in the canopy of a forest; mostly linked up with platforms inside or around the trees. They were originally intended as access to the upper regions of ancient forests for scientists conducting canopy research. Eventually, because they provided only...

s, crane

Crane (machine)

A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of...

s, airship

Airship

An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...

s and inflatable platforms resting on the treetops have lately overcome these barriers.

• Cranes have proven to offer the best three-dimensional access. The effort to set them up is worthwhile, as most research projects are long term.
• Airships (or dirigibles, or blimps) offer the best means of accessing large areas of canopy, see Dendronautics
• Tree house
  Tree house
  Tree houses, treehouses, or tree forts, are platforms or buildings constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level...
  
  s are best for housing because they offer dry, light and secure accommodation without cutting down an area of forest.

See also

• Global Canopy Programme
• Nalini Nadkarni
  Nalini Nadkarni
  Nalini Nadkarni is an American ecologist who pioneered the study of Costa Rican rain forest canopies. Using mountain climbing equipment to make her ascent, Nadkarni first took an inventory of the canopy in 1981, followed by two more inventories in 1984.-Career:Nadkarni's interest was first drawn...
  
  
• Stephen C. Sillett
  Stephen C. Sillett
  Stephen C. Sillett is a botanist specializing in old growth forest canopies. As the first scientist to enter the redwood forest canopy, he pioneered new methods for climbing, exploring, and studying tall trees...
  
  , Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology, Humboldt State University
  Humboldt State University
  Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...
  
  
• Canopy Tour
  Canopy tour
  A canopy tour is an established route through a wooded and often mountainous landscape making primary use of zip-lines and aerial bridges between platforms built in trees. Tourists are harnessed to a steel cable without interruption throughout the entire tour for safety...
  
  

External links

• Global Canopy Programme
• Canopy Database Project
• Canopy Research - Earthwatch Institute page.
• Dendronautics
• "Doing Canopy Science" Prof Stephen Sillett, photogallery with "brief description of... techniques and illustrations of their applications..."