subject: Low Tech Climbing Techniques For Reaching The Forest Canopy [print this page] Martin G. Barker and Stephen L. Sutton, Biotropica Vol. 29
Forest Canopies are organically of extreme consequence, particularly in the same way as centers of diversity and in the same way as the primary interface concerning the forest and the tone (e.G., Parker et aL 1992). However, difficulties of canopy access allow critically impeded seek, and understanding of canopy processes remains poor (Gasron 1993, Heatwole & Higgins 1993). A fresh survey (Nadkarni & Parker 1994) of canopy researchers showed with the aim of access was perceived in the same way as the furthermost blockage to the advancement of canopy science; Erwin's (1983) narrative of the canopy in the same way as the 'last biotic frontier' is, therefore, still appropriate. Near allow been imperative improvements in the sphere of canopy access techniques in the carry on five years, and these developments allow been particularly evident in the sphere of canopy seek in the sphere of tropical forests. Safe climbing methods ought to come about learnt by prim and proper tutoring, and we offer rebuff given guidance on genuine climbing procedure at this point.
'Low-tech' methods wastage relatively regular equipment (or even rebuff equipment by the side of all), are associated with comparatively low acquire and running overheads and are highly cell. A marked help of low-tech methods is with the aim of the equipment desired is by a long shot passed in the sphere of the forest, often by lone single person.
A well-established low-tech canopy access procedure in the sphere of tropical seek is the wastage of resident tree climbers, meant for insistence to amass samples or else to place supports in the sphere of the canopy (e.G., Ingram & Lowman 1995, Munn & Loiselle 1995). Tree climbers might wastage rebuff equipment, or else a moment ago a foot-loop. Resident tree climbers in addition ascend boles using T-shaped brackets attached by the side of intervals up the tree to form a sort of ladder (M. Barker, pers. Obs.). Without a doubt, near are situations in the sphere of which resident tree climbers cannot organize, meant for instance in the sphere of the slope of selected hefty, vineless trees, or else whilst conditions which are judged to come about unsafe. Many studies require researchers themselves to get access to the forest canopy, and several low-tech methods are to be had meant for this. Techniques can broadly come about defined in the same way as either 'free' climbing, by supports, and bole climbing, e.G., by ladders, spiked prop irons, and 'tree grippers', though these methods can come about used in the sphere of combination. Low-tech methods are almost inescapably a lesser amount of secure than the high-tech systems. We therefore lay emphasis on the need meant for safety precautions, which ought to every time take priority in excess of seek needs (Moffett & Lowman 1995, Laman 1995).
Canopy access, by the side of smallest amount to the worse part of the crown, can come about achieved by bole-climbing. Bole-climbing methods are habitually nearly everyone successful and safe whilst used on trees with fair and square straight boles. The simplest and cheapest bole-climbing procedure is related to with the aim of used by resident tree-climbers, e.G., the foot-loop. This procedure involves pinching the bole concerning the feet, raising the superior body by hugging the tree, afterward drawing the feet upwards again (Moffett & Lowman 1995). Controlled descent occurs whilst sliding down the bole, guided by hands or else arms, with feet loosely positioned in the sphere of the end sphere in the same way as a brake. This method is successful on trees and vinesa lesser amount of than 50 meters diameter by the side of breast height (DBH), is inexpensive, requires rebuff grounding and can come about used to climb several trees apiece sunlight hours. Wastage of the foot-loop needs lone squat training, and meant for safety ought to come about used in the sphere of conjunction with an integrated waist harness and safety line to allow breather or else sampling stops. Disadvantages of the procedure are with the aim of it is strenuous (and potentially risky if the creeping plant is tired), uncomfortable on very rough bark surfaces, and ineffective whilst bark is wet (J. Malcolm, pers. Comm.).
