What's up? Perspectives from the first international forest canopy conference at Sarasota, Florida, 1994

Journal ArticleJumars, caribineers, pole pruners, tree bicycles, Bosun's chairs, booms, peconhas . . . these terms are not listed in most biological dictionaries. Nor are construction cranes or large treehouses or hot-air dirigibles listed as priority equipment for any scientific laboratories. But these are the essential tools required to provide some of the exciting results reported at the recent First International Forest Canopy Conference during November 1994 at The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida

Plant science in forest canopies - the first 30 years of advances and challenges (1980-2010)

Contents: Summary 12 I. Introduction 12 II. History of canopy access 13 III. Consequences of whole-tree approaches to forest science 15 IV. Canopy communities - their inhabitants, environment, and processes 16 V. The role of forest canopies in providing ecosystem services 21 VI. Using canopy science as a \u27hook\u27 to inspire forest conservation 21 VII. Conclusions -\u27black boxes\u27 in canopy science that remain 22 Acknowledgements 23 References 24 Summary: As an emerging subdiscipline of forest biology, canopy science has undergone a transition from observational, \u27oh-wow\u27 exploration to a more hypothesis-driven, experimental arena for rigorous field biology. Although efforts to explore forest canopies have occurred for a century, the new tools to access the treetops during the past 30yr facilitated not only widespread exploration but also new discoveries about the complexity and global effects of this so-called \u27eighth continent of the planet\u27. The forest canopy is the engine that fixes solar energy in carbohydrates to power interactions among forest components that, in turn, affect regional and global climate, biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem services. Climate change, biodiversity conservation, fresh water conservation, ecosystem productivity, and carbon sequestration represent important components of forest research that benefit from access to the canopy for rigorous study. Although some canopy variables can be observed or measured from the ground, vertical and horizontal variation in environmental conditions and processes within the canopy that determine canopy-atmosphere and canopy-forest floor interactions are best measured within the canopy. Canopy science has matured into a cutting-edge subset of forest research, and the treetops also serve as social and economic drivers for sustainable communities, fostering science education and ecotourism. This interdisciplinary context of forest canopy science has inspired innovative new approaches to environmental stewardship, involving diverse stakeholders. © 2012 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2012 New Phytologist Trust

Sacred fig trees promote frugivore visitation and tree seedling abundance in South India

While sacred groves (forest fragments protected for religious reasons) are widely acknowledged to have a beneficial effect on biodiversity conservation, the ecological benefits of individual sacred trees remain unknown. Fig trees are present as sacred trees in humandominated landscapes across South Asia and are considered keystone species for wildlife in tropical forests. If frugivores continue to visit fig trees in disturbed landscapes, they may deposit seeds of other tree species beneath fig canopies, ultimately facilitating forest regeneration. We studied whether sacred fig trees in Tamil Nadu, India can facilitate seed dispersal in human-dominated landscapes. We quantified abundance of sacred fig trees at the study site, assessed whether seed-dispersing frugivore visitation to fig trees is affected by human disturbance, and compared tree seedling density beneath fig trees and open areas. We found that some species of frugivorous birds and bats will visit large fig trees in conditions of high human disturbance and that tree seedling density is significantly higher under sacred trees compared to open areas. By promoting frugivore activity, sacred fig trees may have a beneficial effect on biodiversity conservation in human-dominated landscapes

Standard-Level Herbivory in an Old-Growth Conifer Forest Canopy

Herbivory is an important ecological process in forest canopies but is difficult to measure, especially for whole stands. We used the Wind River Canopy Crane in Washington State to access 101 randomly-located sample points throughout the forest canopy. This provided a relatively quick and convenient way to estimate herbivory for a whole stand. The overall level of herbivory was estimated at 1.6% of leaf area. The distribution was strongly skewed to the lower canopy where broad-leafed species experienced higher levels of herbivory. Herbivory averaged 0.3% in conifers and 13.5% in broad-leafed species. Fully half of the sample points had no detectable herbivory. Herbivory in this old-growth conifer forest is among the lowest levels published for forests around the globe and may reflect the general levels of herbivory in temperate coniferous forests during nonoutbreak conditions. Our whole-stand estimate is the first attempt at measuring herbivory for an entire forest stand in the Pacific Northwest

Extending our scientific reach in arboreal ecosystems for research and management

The arboreal ecosystem is vitally important to global and local biogeochemical processes, the maintenance of biodiversity in natural systems, and human health in urban environments. The ability to collect samples, observations, and data to conduct meaningful scientific research is similarly vital. The primary methods and modes of access remain limited and difficult. In an online survey, canopy researchers (n = 219) reported a range of challenges in obtaining adequate samples, including ∼10% who found it impossible to procure what they needed. Currently, these samples are collected using a combination of four primary methods: (1) sampling from the ground; (2) tree climbing; (3) constructing fixed infrastructure; and (4) using mobile aerial platforms, primarily rotorcraft drones. An important distinction between instantaneous and continuous sampling was identified, allowing more targeted engineering and development strategies. The combination of methods for sampling the arboreal ecosystem provides a range of possibilities and opportunities, particularly in the context of the rapid development of robotics and other engineering advances. In this study, we aim to identify the strategies that would provide the benefits to a broad range of scientists, arborists, and professional climbers and facilitate basic discovery and applied management. Priorities for advancing these efforts are (1) to expand participation, both geographically and professionally; (2) to define 2–3 common needs across the community; (3) to form and motivate focal teams of biologists, tree professionals, and engineers in the development of solutions to these needs; and (4) to establish multidisciplinary communication platforms to share information about innovations and opportunities for studying arboreal ecosystems

A Blueprint for Florida's Clean Energy Future - Case Study of a Regional Government's Environmental Strategy

On 13 July 2007, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed executive orders to establish greenhouse gas emission targets that required an 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by the year 2050. Florida is a very high-risk state with regard to climate change. Its 1,350-mile-long coastline, location in "Hurricane Alley," reliance on coral reefs and other vulnerable natural resources for its economy, and the predictions that state population could double in the next 30 years all contribute to this designation of "high-risk. As a consequence of the potential economic and ecological impacts of climate change to Florida, a series of Action Teams were created to plan for adaptation to impending environmental changes. As the 26th largest emitter of carbon dioxide on a global scale, Florida needs to act aggressively to create a clean energy footprint as part of its statewide initiatives but with global impacts. This case study examines the process and expected outcomes undertaken by a regional government that anticipates the need for stringent adaptation.Climate change; Florida; adaptation; regional government; environmental policy

Forest Canopies

xxiii,517 hal,;ill,;27 c

A Blueprint for Florida's Clean Energy Future - Case Study of a Regional Government's Environmental Strategy

On 13 July 2007, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed executive orders to establish greenhouse gas emission targets that required an 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by the year 2050. Florida is a very high-risk state with regard to climate change. Its 1,350-mile-long coastline, location in "Hurricane Alley," reliance on coral reefs and other vulnerable natural resources for its economy, and the predictions that state population could double in the next 30 years all contribute to this designation of "high-risk. As a consequence of the potential economic and ecological impacts of climate change to Florida, a series of Action Teams were created to plan for adaptation to impending environmental changes. As the 26th largest emitter of carbon dioxide on a global scale, Florida needs to act aggressively to create a clean energy footprint as part of its statewide initiatives but with global impacts. This case study examines the process and expected outcomes undertaken by a regional government that anticipates the need for stringent adaptation

Milnesium swansoni Young, Chappell, Miller & Lowman, 2016, sp. nov.

<i>Milnesium swansoni</i> sp. nov. <p>Figure 1, Tables 2–4</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Milnesium</i> without eyes, with a smooth cuticle, with short, narrow buccal tube, and four peribuccal lamellae. Main branch of claw long, without accessory points. Basal thickening wide, basal spurs small but present with a secondary branch configuration of [3-3]-[3-3].</p> <p> <b>Description of the holotype.</b> Female <i>Milnesium swansoni</i>, body transparent, length 330 µm (BL <i>pt</i> = <i>1,430%</i>), eye spots not found. Cuticle smooth without ornamentation, pores, reticulations, or gibbosities. Mouth with six peribuccal papillae, four peribuccal lamellae and two lateral papillae. Buccal tube short, narrow, and cylindrical; length 23.1 µm, width 9.2 µm (BTW <i>pt</i> = <i>39.7</i>). Stylet support attachment at 15.5 µm (SSA <i>pt</i> = <i>67</i>). Pharyngeal bulb elongated, pear-shaped, without apophyses, placoids, or septula. Claws of <i>Milnesium</i> type, main branch separated from secondary branch without accessory points. Secondary branch with base and primary, secondary, and basal spurs [3-3]-[3-3]. Basal thickening wide. Length of primary branches, secondary branches, basal spurs and the width of basal thickenings are given in Table 2, with all measurements and ranges for paratypes. Individual measurements for all type material is provided in the Supplementary Data.</p> <p> <b>Type location.</b> Collected from between 9 and 12 meters high on 20th June 2014, by Alexander Young: lichen on bark of a Virginia creeper (<i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i>) in the Baker University Wetlands (38.91426N, - 95.22858W) Douglas County, Kansas, U.S.A.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The new species is named in honour of Kent Swanson Jr. whose family established the Swanson Family Scholarship, for which author AY was a recipient.</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> Deposited at the California Academy of Science, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Slide Collection number: CASIZ-198191.</p> <p>A question mark indicates a value that could not be accurately measured. An em-dash indicates a value that is not mathematically applicable.</p> <p> <b>Paratypes.</b> Four female and five male for a total of nine paratypes deposited at the California Academy of Science, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Slide Collection numbers: CASIZ-198192, CASIZ-198193, CASIZ- 198194, CASIZ-198195, CASIZ-198196, CASIZ-198197, CASIZ-198198, CASIZ-198199, CASIZ-198200 (details in Supplementary Data).</p> <p> <b>Sexual dimorphism</b>. Species exhibits qualitative sexual dimorphism in the structure of claw I. Males exhibit wide, thick secondary claws lacking sub-branches (Table 3 and Supplementary Data).</p> <p>A question mark indicates a value that could not be accurately measured. An em-dash indicates a value that is not mathematically applicable.</p> <p> <b>Eggs.</b> Oval, smooth, deposited in exuvium.</p> <p> <b>Habitat.</b> The new species was found at all nine of the collection sites indicating wide distribution within the region (Table 1). One-hundred specimens were extracted from lichen habitat and 15 specimens from moss habitat on 38 of the 135 trees climbed, representing 15 of the17 tree species sampled. The new species did not show selection of substrate (tree species) or habitat (moss or lichen).</p> <p> The new species was collected from ground level up to 20 m with 18, 27, 39, and 31 specimens found at levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. <i>Milnesium swansoni</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> was found to occur significantly more often at the three upper levels than was expected for its occurrence to be considered uniform with the base level 1 (X2 = 4.5, 24.5, 9.4 respectively). Thus a preference for upper canopy habitat is suggested.</p> <p> <b>Differential diagnosis.</b> The new species is in the <i>tardigradum</i> group with a smooth cuticle but differs from all species in the group except <i>M. tetralamellatum</i> by having only four peribuccal lamellae. It differs from <i>M. tetralamellatum</i> by its [3-3]-[3-3] vs [2-3]-[3-2] claw configuration. The new species also differs from <i>M. tetralamellatum</i> by not having eyes or claw accessory points, and by having a narrower buccal tube (BTW <i>pt</i> = <i>40.2</i> vs BTW <i>pt</i> = <i>49</i>), and a more posterior stylet support attachment point (SSA <i>pt</i> = <i>68</i> vs SSA <i>pt</i> = <i>64</i>). Additionally, it is distinct among the other <i>Milnesium</i> with four peribuccal lamellae for its combination of BTW and SSA ranges (Figure 2). The new species is easily distinguished from the other species described from North America with four peribuccal lamellae, <i>M. lagniappe,</i> by the smooth cuticle, the claw configuration, the narrower buccal tube and a more anterior attachment point for the stylet support bar (Table 4).</p> <p> Key: <i>pt</i> = trait / buccal tube length *100, BL = Body Length, BTW—Buccal Tube Width, SSA = Stylet Support Attachment.</p>Published as part of <i>Young, Alexander, Chappell, Benjamin, Miller, William & Lowman, Margaret, 2016, Tardigrades of the Tree Canopy: Milnesium swansoni sp. nov. (Eutardigrada: Apochela: Milnesiidae) a new species from Kansas, U. S. A., pp. 559-568 in Zootaxa 4072 (5)</i> on pages 561-566, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4072.5.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/258292">http://zenodo.org/record/258292</a&gt