The Surumoni project: The botanical approach toward gaining an interdisciplinary understanding of the functions of the rain forest canopy

Abstract

Today, thanks to modern observation systems, it is now possible to investigate rain forest canopies without major disturbances to the ecosystem. For the Surumoni project (Upper Orinoco, Venezuela), an observation crane on rails was set up for the first time ever within a primary rain forest. This crane covers an observation area of ca. 1.4 hectares. The scientists themselves steer the gondola by remote control; the gondola can move quickly and silently in all directions. The botanical part of the international project (which is headed by the Austrian Academy of Sciences) is attempting to investigate mainly interactions within the plant community and between plants and animals in order to better understand how rain forests function. This consequently necessitates an interdisciplinary approach. The investigation focuses primarily on ant-plant interaction; genetic variability and gene flow; crown shyness; phenological systems; dispersal and germination; butterflies and beetles: positive and negative effects on plants; lianas: distribution and growth control; life forms, growth types and structural diversity in the canopy; what is found only in the canopy; fungi in competition with plants and animals.