Weld Valley Upper Canopy Research Station

Pioneering research into the animals living in the high canopy of Australia's tallest forests.

Tasmania has some of the tallest forests on Earth, but research into their remarkable biodiversity is still in its infancy.

The Upper Canopy Research Station is currently 9 trees conntected by traverses, 5 of which have large platforms 37 to 48m of the deck. This station offers a unique oppurtunity to explore the animals which live and feed in the high canopy of Australia's tallest forests. New species of insects are expected to be discovered as well as new insights into the biology of familiar species.

Similar research overseas has discovered a vast hidden fauna living high above the ground where it had escaped the attention of scientists until recently. Canopy research in rainforests since the 1980's suggests that the number of species on Earth has been vastly under-estimated.

The experiments to be undertaken by the Weld Valley team over the next few months will generate important data to help understand the ecology of these complex forest ecosystems.

Aims:
To compare the fauna between different tree species in the canopy.
To understand how some animals move between trees.

Outline of some aspects to be covered:

Photographs of species active in and on the trees.
Bat species surveyed at night by using recording of calls (ANABAT system).
Differences in Activity Patters of canopy animals between day and night.
Document species living under bark (food resources for native birds).
Document species passively airborne between trees (using sticky-traps).
Document species living in hollows.
Document species living in organic detritus suspended high in trees.
Document species living on high foliage vs low foliage.

Decisions on the management of these forests has been made so far in the virtual absence of this information.

To get involved contact the Huon Valley Environment Centre on (03) 6264 1286

If you have access to a lab or insect identification facilities email P.B.McQuillan@utas.edu.au

The Upper Canopy Research Station Needs:
* Static Rope * Constructional Plywood * Industry Abseiling Equipment * Cash Donations * Solar Panel's * Stable Food

Upper Canopy Research donations: BSB 6333 ­ 000, Account #: 126231166