AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 7 July 2013 | Views [619] | View Larger Image
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.
Tags: epiphyte, research, rainforest, tree climbing, orchid