Travel Work Expedition Photo

AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 7 July 2013 | Views [548] | View Smaller Image

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.

Tags: epiphyte, research, rainforest, tree climbing, orchid

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.

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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.

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Travel Work Expedition Photo

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