Ebook: Treetops at Risk: Challenges of Global Canopy Ecology and Conservation

Forest canopies not only support high terrestrial biodiversity but also represent a critical interface between the atmosphere and the earth. They provide goods and services to support diverse human communities and offer opportunities to explore sustainable use of these resources for many generations of local livelihoods. Forest canopies are important carbon sequestration units, and in this sense, serve as climate control for the planet. Canopies are important energy production centers for the planet, and serve as the basis for many food chains. The canopy can also act as a hook for education outreach and conservation, inspiring ecotourism through recreation and other sustainable uses such as treetop walks, zip lines, and birding. Despite these critical services provided by forest canopies, almost no dedicated research in the treetops was initiated until as recently as the late 1970s when single rope techniques were developed by mountaineering professionals and adapted for use in the canopy. Subsequently, an array of canopy access tools was designed in the 1980s and early 1990s that have opened up this “eighth continent” for global exploration and discovery.

This volume uses the major findings of the 5^th international canopy conference as a platform for organization, but it does not mimic the sessions and presentations of the conference itself. Instead, it builds on the important themes that emerged from the conference and solicits articles that represent future priorities and advancements for canopy science in the next decade. Despite the global efforts of hundreds of forest scientists over the past 3 decades, forests are degrading at an accelerated rate and biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Given these trends - despite the very best efforts of the world’s best scientists - other approaches must be taken. This volume summarizes the issue of “treetops at risk” and assembles a global authorship to examine past accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.

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Treetops at Risk brings together the world’s foremost experts on forest canopies, and summarizes their views on the current and future status of forests. Forest canopies not only support high terrestrial biodiversity but also represent a critical interface between atmosphere and the earth. They provide goods and services to support humans, and represent important energy production centers for the planet. Millions of people depend upon forest canopies for their livelihoods, and millions more depend upon future sustainable use of forest resources. The canopy also serves as a hook for education outreach and conservation, inspiring ecotourism and recreation. Despite these critical services provided by forest canopies, very little dedicated research in the treetops was initiated until as recently as the late 1970s when single rope techniques were adapted for use in the canopy. Subsequently, an array of canopy access tools was designed that have opened up this “eighth continent” for global exploration and discovery.

In 2009, the fifth International Canopy Conference was held in Bangalore, India, representing the first time that canopy researchers had convened in a developing country. Not only did this conference jumpstart canopy initiatives in India, but it fostered a broader approach to critical canopy issues facing many emerging countries where forest resources are seriously in decline. Despite the global efforts of hundreds of forest scientists over the past 3 decades, forests are degrading at an accelerated rate and canopy biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Given these trends, new and innovative approaches must be taken. This volume summarizes the issue of “treetops at risk” and assembles a global authorship to examine past accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.

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Treetops at Risk brings together the world’s foremost experts on forest canopies, and summarizes their views on the current and future status of forests. Forest canopies not only support high terrestrial biodiversity but also represent a critical interface between atmosphere and the earth. They provide goods and services to support humans, and represent important energy production centers for the planet. Millions of people depend upon forest canopies for their livelihoods, and millions more depend upon future sustainable use of forest resources. The canopy also serves as a hook for education outreach and conservation, inspiring ecotourism and recreation. Despite these critical services provided by forest canopies, very little dedicated research in the treetops was initiated until as recently as the late 1970s when single rope techniques were adapted for use in the canopy. Subsequently, an array of canopy access tools was designed that have opened up this “eighth continent” for global exploration and discovery.

In 2009, the fifth International Canopy Conference was held in Bangalore, India, representing the first time that canopy researchers had convened in a developing country. Not only did this conference jumpstart canopy initiatives in India, but it fostered a broader approach to critical canopy issues facing many emerging countries where forest resources are seriously in decline. Despite the global efforts of hundreds of forest scientists over the past 3 decades, forests are degrading at an accelerated rate and canopy biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Given these trends, new and innovative approaches must be taken. This volume summarizes the issue of “treetops at risk” and assembles a global authorship to examine past accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Role of Scientific Conferences to Foster Conservation Solutions for Global Forests....Pages 3-7
Greening the Planet?....Pages 9-11
Comparative Canopy Biology and the Structure of Ecosystems....Pages 13-54
Forest Canopies as Earth’s Support Systems: Priorities for Research and Conservation....Pages 55-70
Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests....Pages 71-79
Rethinking the Role of Tropical Forest Science in Forest Conservation and Management....Pages 81-91
REDD: How Can Scientists Change the Political Jungle?....Pages 93-96
Narrowing Global Species Estimates....Pages 97-102
Front Matter....Pages 103-103
Tropical Cyclones and Forest Dynamics Under a Changing Climate: What Are the Long-Term Implications for Tropical Forest Canopies in the Cyclone Belt?....Pages 105-111
Canopies and Climate Change....Pages 113-118
Church Forest Status and Carbon Sequestration in Northern Ethiopia....Pages 119-122
A Novel Approach to Simulate Climate Change Impacts on Vascular Epiphytes: Case Study in Taiwan....Pages 123-130
Sensitivity and Threat in High-Elevation Rainforests: Outcomes and Consequences of the IBISCA-Queensland Project....Pages 131-139
A Mature Forest Canopy in a CO2-Rich Future: An Experiment at the Swiss Canopy Crane Research Site....Pages 141-145
Shock Value: Are Lianas Natural Lightning Rods?....Pages 147-153
Potential Impacts of Global Changes on Epiphytic Bryophytes in Subtropical Montane Moist Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests, SW China....Pages 155-167
“Canopy-Less” Monitoring of Biodiversity and Climate Change: Signs of a Leaky Roof....Pages 169-174
Front Matter....Pages 175-175
Mesoscale Exploration and Conservation of Tropical Canopies in a Changing Climate....Pages 177-193
Why Do Sloths Poop on the Ground?....Pages 195-199
Birds of the “Canopy”: Historical Perspective, Current Trends, and Future Directions....Pages 201-208
Front Matter....Pages 175-175
Functional Roles of Lianas for Forest Canopy Animals....Pages 209-214
Islands in a Sea of Foliage: Mistletoes as Discrete Components of Forest Canopies....Pages 215-222
Nonvascular Epiphytes: Functions and Risks at the Tree Canopy....Pages 223-236
Canopy Texture Analysis for Large-Scale Assessments of Tropical Forest Stand Structure and Biomass....Pages 237-245
Changing Tropical Forest Dynamics and Their Effects on Canopy Geometry and Tropical Forest Biodiversity....Pages 247-260
Reproductive Biology and Population Genetics of Some Canopy- and Understorey-Dominant Tree Species of Sri Lanka: Implications for Conservation Management in a Fragmented Landscape....Pages 261-273
The Importance of Flowers for Beetle Biodiversity and Abundance....Pages 275-288
Assessing Canopy Processes at Large Landscape Scales in the Western Ghats Using Remote Sensing....Pages 289-294
Ontogeny of Herbivory on Leaves in a Tropical Rain Forest in Madagascar....Pages 295-305
Do Water Bears Climb Trees Too?....Pages 307-311
From Leaf Litter to Canopy: Noninvasive and Reliable Sampling in a Tropical Rainforest....Pages 313-320
Front Matter....Pages 321-321
Win-Win for Scientists and Citizen Scientists Who Engage in Amazon Canopy Expeditions....Pages 323-329
In the Canopy with Wheelchairs: A Model for Teaching Field Biology....Pages 331-339
Modeling Insect Outbreaks in Forest Canopies: Integration of Virtual Simulations with Hands-On Ecology for Undergraduates....Pages 341-352
Canopy Capture: Essay of a Photographer....Pages 353-354
Kids Can Save Forests....Pages 355-359
Forest Canopy Tourism: Analyzing a Flagship Attraction in the Ecotourism Arena from a Political Ecology Perspective....Pages 361-365
Front Matter....Pages 367-367
Ancient Coastal Rainforest Canopies in Western Canada: Issues in Biodiversity and Conservation....Pages 369-376
The Population Dynamics of Epiphytic Orchids: A Review and Methodological Guide....Pages 377-385
Can Canopy-Dwelling Frogs Be Monitored from the Ground? A Case from Western Ghats of India....Pages 387-393
Front Matter....Pages 367-367
Just Harvest: Ecology and Politics of Forest Canopy Product Use in Protected Areas....Pages 395-399
Tropical Rainforests of Africa: Can Conservation Projects Reconcile Forest Conservation and Development of Forest-Dependent Communities?....Pages 401-404
Sacred Groves as Sanctuaries for Mistletoe Conservation in Kathmandu Valley....Pages 405-414
Nutrient Recycling Starts in the Canopy: The Secretive Action of Termites....Pages 415-421
Valuing Ecosystem Services Flowing from the Indian Himalayan States for Incorporation into National Accounting....Pages 423-434
Epiphytic Plants as NTFPs from the Forest Canopies: Priorities for Management and Conservation....Pages 435-444

---

Treetops at Risk brings together the world’s foremost experts on forest canopies, and summarizes their views on the current and future status of forests. Forest canopies not only support high terrestrial biodiversity but also represent a critical interface between atmosphere and the earth. They provide goods and services to support humans, and represent important energy production centers for the planet. Millions of people depend upon forest canopies for their livelihoods, and millions more depend upon future sustainable use of forest resources. The canopy also serves as a hook for education outreach and conservation, inspiring ecotourism and recreation. Despite these critical services provided by forest canopies, very little dedicated research in the treetops was initiated until as recently as the late 1970s when single rope techniques were adapted for use in the canopy. Subsequently, an array of canopy access tools was designed that have opened up this “eighth continent” for global exploration and discovery.

In 2009, the fifth International Canopy Conference was held in Bangalore, India, representing the first time that canopy researchers had convened in a developing country. Not only did this conference jumpstart canopy initiatives in India, but it fostered a broader approach to critical canopy issues facing many emerging countries where forest resources are seriously in decline. Despite the global efforts of hundreds of forest scientists over the past 3 decades, forests are degrading at an accelerated rate and canopy biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Given these trends, new and innovative approaches must be taken. This volume summarizes the issue of “treetops at risk” and assembles a global authorship to examine past accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Role of Scientific Conferences to Foster Conservation Solutions for Global Forests....Pages 3-7
Greening the Planet?....Pages 9-11
Comparative Canopy Biology and the Structure of Ecosystems....Pages 13-54
Forest Canopies as Earth’s Support Systems: Priorities for Research and Conservation....Pages 55-70
Emerging Threats to Tropical Forests....Pages 71-79
Rethinking the Role of Tropical Forest Science in Forest Conservation and Management....Pages 81-91
REDD: How Can Scientists Change the Political Jungle?....Pages 93-96
Narrowing Global Species Estimates....Pages 97-102
Front Matter....Pages 103-103
Tropical Cyclones and Forest Dynamics Under a Changing Climate: What Are the Long-Term Implications for Tropical Forest Canopies in the Cyclone Belt?....Pages 105-111
Canopies and Climate Change....Pages 113-118
Church Forest Status and Carbon Sequestration in Northern Ethiopia....Pages 119-122
A Novel Approach to Simulate Climate Change Impacts on Vascular Epiphytes: Case Study in Taiwan....Pages 123-130
Sensitivity and Threat in High-Elevation Rainforests: Outcomes and Consequences of the IBISCA-Queensland Project....Pages 131-139
A Mature Forest Canopy in a CO2-Rich Future: An Experiment at the Swiss Canopy Crane Research Site....Pages 141-145
Shock Value: Are Lianas Natural Lightning Rods?....Pages 147-153
Potential Impacts of Global Changes on Epiphytic Bryophytes in Subtropical Montane Moist Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests, SW China....Pages 155-167
“Canopy-Less” Monitoring of Biodiversity and Climate Change: Signs of a Leaky Roof....Pages 169-174
Front Matter....Pages 175-175
Mesoscale Exploration and Conservation of Tropical Canopies in a Changing Climate....Pages 177-193
Why Do Sloths Poop on the Ground?....Pages 195-199
Birds of the “Canopy”: Historical Perspective, Current Trends, and Future Directions....Pages 201-208
Front Matter....Pages 175-175
Functional Roles of Lianas for Forest Canopy Animals....Pages 209-214
Islands in a Sea of Foliage: Mistletoes as Discrete Components of Forest Canopies....Pages 215-222
Nonvascular Epiphytes: Functions and Risks at the Tree Canopy....Pages 223-236
Canopy Texture Analysis for Large-Scale Assessments of Tropical Forest Stand Structure and Biomass....Pages 237-245
Changing Tropical Forest Dynamics and Their Effects on Canopy Geometry and Tropical Forest Biodiversity....Pages 247-260
Reproductive Biology and Population Genetics of Some Canopy- and Understorey-Dominant Tree Species of Sri Lanka: Implications for Conservation Management in a Fragmented Landscape....Pages 261-273
The Importance of Flowers for Beetle Biodiversity and Abundance....Pages 275-288
Assessing Canopy Processes at Large Landscape Scales in the Western Ghats Using Remote Sensing....Pages 289-294
Ontogeny of Herbivory on Leaves in a Tropical Rain Forest in Madagascar....Pages 295-305
Do Water Bears Climb Trees Too?....Pages 307-311
From Leaf Litter to Canopy: Noninvasive and Reliable Sampling in a Tropical Rainforest....Pages 313-320
Front Matter....Pages 321-321
Win-Win for Scientists and Citizen Scientists Who Engage in Amazon Canopy Expeditions....Pages 323-329
In the Canopy with Wheelchairs: A Model for Teaching Field Biology....Pages 331-339
Modeling Insect Outbreaks in Forest Canopies: Integration of Virtual Simulations with Hands-On Ecology for Undergraduates....Pages 341-352
Canopy Capture: Essay of a Photographer....Pages 353-354
Kids Can Save Forests....Pages 355-359
Forest Canopy Tourism: Analyzing a Flagship Attraction in the Ecotourism Arena from a Political Ecology Perspective....Pages 361-365
Front Matter....Pages 367-367
Ancient Coastal Rainforest Canopies in Western Canada: Issues in Biodiversity and Conservation....Pages 369-376
The Population Dynamics of Epiphytic Orchids: A Review and Methodological Guide....Pages 377-385
Can Canopy-Dwelling Frogs Be Monitored from the Ground? A Case from Western Ghats of India....Pages 387-393
Front Matter....Pages 367-367
Just Harvest: Ecology and Politics of Forest Canopy Product Use in Protected Areas....Pages 395-399
Tropical Rainforests of Africa: Can Conservation Projects Reconcile Forest Conservation and Development of Forest-Dependent Communities?....Pages 401-404
Sacred Groves as Sanctuaries for Mistletoe Conservation in Kathmandu Valley....Pages 405-414
Nutrient Recycling Starts in the Canopy: The Secretive Action of Termites....Pages 415-421
Valuing Ecosystem Services Flowing from the Indian Himalayan States for Incorporation into National Accounting....Pages 423-434
Epiphytic Plants as NTFPs from the Forest Canopies: Priorities for Management and Conservation....Pages 435-444
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