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 toexamine past accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.

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.