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    Australia

    There are [10] photos and [2] stories about Australia

    Ms Sanger approaches the lower canopy of this 60 meter high fig tree approximately 30m from the forest floor. Trees of this size were regularly encountered and not only proved extremely challenging to climb but also meant that almost 2 full days of survey work was required to complete them. Known as epiphyte load it is estimated that the host tree like this one can hold more than a ton of additional plant material. by: spphoto Views[561] The rainforest canopy is one of sciences last frontiers of discovery with little previous research carried out. On occasion jewels can be found hidden by the thick undergrowth, tangled vines and poor visibility on the forest floor. Here a Beech Orchid (Dendrobuim falcorostrum) sits securely 35m from ground level in an Antarctic Beech tree (Notofagus moorei), this particular orchid grows nowhere else except in this forest and on this particular species of rare tree. by: spphoto Views[468] The technique of climbing 50 meter high rainforest trees is laborious but offers truly unique perspectives. Ascending to the canopy of these emergent trees is a journey that might take as long as 20 minutes. Climbers begin in the undergrowth then pass the vine growth and several layers of lower canopy just to reach the lowest branches of the trees in the study group. by: spphoto Views[886] The task at hand is at times daunting because of the combination of long hours of technical climbing, relentless poor weather and the sheer amount of epiphytes found. While the national park welcomes more than 2 million visitors per year surprisingly little research has been done into its epiphytic inhabitants. On this branch alone more than 30 samples of moss were taken to be identified at the Queensland herbarium a task that will take months to complete. by: spphoto Views[360] Tree Climbing for science in the Border Ranges national park of Northern New South Wales. Epiphyte diversity lead researcher Jen Sanger reaches out to retrieve a sample of a newly discovered orchid 25m from the forest floor. In many of the worlds rainforests the number, distribution and ecology of these elusive plants is largely unknown to science. This project aims to form an extensive data set of distribution information so that these highly sensitive plants might be used as climate change indicators. by: spphoto Views[382]
     
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    Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

    Sunday, 7 Jul 2013 | Photo Gallery | Scholarship Entry

    Greenland. I know how cold it is, how windy it is and how difficult it can be just to exist there. It’s the entire reason why I wanted to go. The deserts of Central Australia where I’ve lived and worked pushed me to explore the opposite extreme. I’ve ... Read more >
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    Tags: travel photography scholarship 2013

    Photos: Epiphyte

    Monday, 1 Jul 2013 | Photo Gallery


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