The forest canopy is one of the last biological limits housing an extraordinary diversity of animal and plant species. The canopy corresponds to the treetops of all the trees within a forest. Its height and heterogeneity make studying its ecology difficult, much more so in the case of tropical forests. Therefore, there is little knowledge on the structure and biological interactions of canopies, especially where diversity of flora and fauna is highest.

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Ecology and Conservation of the
Forest Canopy in the Colombian Andes
(Study of Epiphytes, Birds and Insects).

See Abstracts for Researches >

This project will establish the first centre for canopy studies in the Colombian Andes. The first stage will involve a study of epiphytes, insects (beetles, butterflies and ants) and birds using new capture techniques. The project will be carried out in a strategically important private reserve for the conservation of biodiversity where studies have already been carried out and where ecological interactions are still to be discovered. In addition, the proximity of Bogotá to the reserve will enable students and other members of the public to gain access to platforms and suspension bridges. Through activities such as these, the project aims to create awareness about this important biological resource as well as the importance of studying and conserving it.

By means of platforms, suspension bridges and tree climbing techniques, scientists around the world have begun to discover and study different aspects of canopy biology, including the discovery of new plant and animal species; gaseous exchange between the canopy and the atmosphere; the intricate physiological response of canopy epiphytes (Orquidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Araceae, and others) with respect to light, humidity, water pressure and other climate factors; interactions between plants and animals; as well as other aspects. However, despite this research, there are still large information gaps concerning the different kinds of wildlife inhabiting the tops of the trees.