Contents:
One of the major goals of this project is to map the branching structure of Eucalyptus obliqua. Within the tree crown, the relative size and position of each branch is quantified using simple surveying equipment. Special habitats, growth features, or structural attributes are recorded. 3-d models can be combined with an extensive photographic record to assist in understanding what this special environment is like. By comparing young and old Eucalyptus obliqua trees, we can answer questions about the differences in size, shape, and habit of these different age classes. The tree map generated can be used as a framework for studying specific aspects of the tree crown and the habitats within. See the Treemap page for more.
The third major goal is to communicate this information with the rest of the world. Combining and sharing 3-d mapping information, photographs, biodiversity data, and experiences with you is critical to making this work relevant to people who are neither forest ecologists or living in Tasmania. Look up at the trees as you walk under them- there is a whole world to be explored in their branches! Your stereo vision and opposable thumbs are proof of your arboreal heritage. Let your eyes do the exploration at the Images page.
34th Australian
Entomological Society and 6th Invertebrate Biodiversity Conference in Hobart, October 2003.HTML Slide Show
Eucalyptus and rainforest:
Where fire has burnt, young eucalypts develop in the understory in place of the temperate rainforest which develops in the absence of fire. As the rainforest develops, the surviving eucalypts become less and less common as mortality brings them down. Old eucalypt trees in these forests have been confirmed be the world's largest and tallest flowering plants to reach heights of 96 metres, basal circumferences of 21 metres, and wood volumes of 439 cubic metres! The region of Warra at which the study is based burnt 100 years ago. In areas where the fire burnt hot enough to kill the rainforest, trees that sprouted in the cleared area in 1898 are now tall trees 45 metres tall. Standing amongst these vigourous young trees are the gnarly old survivors, which sprouted some time before 1898 and survived all of the fires in its lifetime.
The survivors almost always show their scars from these events, in the form of charcoal, signed branches, or burnt out hollow bases. Where the fire did not burn hot enough to kill the rainforest, the treeferns and Antarctic beech trees (Nothofagus cunninghamii) continue to thrive and the eucalypts never had the chance to become established. Also present in the forest are the standing dead eucalypts, no longer photosynthesizing but still standing, and the fallen dead trees, which are being reintegrated to the forest floor. All of these elements contribute to the overall biodiversity of the forest. In this project the 1898 younger generation of trees is being compared with the elder old-growth survivor generation.
West end of Manuka Road:
The study is being conducted at the very western end of the forestry road network at the hairpin turn on Manuka Road. In this region can be found post-clearcut forestry plantations, forests regenerating from fire 100 years, and forest that has not burnt in recorded history. agoAlong this road from the Airwalk are several related research projects including the
Sustainable Silviculture Trials", and projects on stem decay, stem habitats of Eucalyptus obliqua, and the closely linked research into fallen-log beetles and decay,
and the long term monitoring of fallen log biodiversity.
See the Treemap page, Animals page, and the Ropes page for more information.
Methods Writeup (.PDF)- In Progress!
Export of bibliographic references, mostly on Eucalyptus ecology and forest canopy biodiversity ( .TXT )(
.PDF)
Detailed reviews of Eucalyptus canopy arthropod biodiversity studies: (.DOC) (.PDF)
In progress:
-Endnote bibliography export
-Selected structure
-selected arthro
-selected Euc