11.04.2023 Climbing the forest roof

The ability of forests to provide ecosystem services is expected to be dependent upon the maintenance of interactions between the microscopic and macroscopic organisms, particularly when speaking of resilience and environmental impact of the tree leaf microbiome in the face of climate change. The Tree-M research cluster aims to investigate the complex interactions of microbial colonizers with the biotic and abiotic environmental conditions that are present in the phyllosphere of pedunculate oak. But how to investigate an ephemeral habitat that is far beyond reach?

 

Tree canopies always represented a difficult-to-access research site, thus many difficulties in forest canopy research arose from obstacles related to accessing the treetops and the subsequent challenges of sampling – thinking back to early European explorers who were hiring climbers or even trained monkeys to collect specimens that were far out of reach. Nowadays advantages in equipment and technical knowledge within professional work at height opened up new and cost-effective opportunities for researchers when it comes to safely rope accessing the forest roof. Vicki Tough, herself a zoologist and professional to educate and assist researchers working at height in forests, taught our researchers in a four-day climbing course theoretical and practical skills to successfully work at height within the canopy. Besides time and energy efficient climbing techniques, the researchers learned about visual tree inspections and aerial rescue maneuvers for planning fieldwork, and about further important considerations.

Tree-M is ready to take on the upcoming sampling season!

 

Author: Dr. Susanne Walden