The Canopy Research Network (CRN) was established in July 1993 with a two-year planning grant from the Database Activities Program of the National Science Foundation. CRN researchers are now soliciting input from scientists in forest ecology and in other fields who may have developed techniques and software to help answer questions that concern the complex three- dimensional structure of tree crowns and forest canopies.
The canopy is important in maintaining the diversity, resilience, and functioning of forest ecosystems. As new access techniques such as giant construction cranes increase the interest and information about forest canopies, new tools will be needed to manage, analyze, share and compare new types and larger amounts of data among researchers with separate research questions.
The CRN is an effort to connect forest canopy researchers, quantitative scientists, and computer specialists to establish methods to collect, store, analyze, interpret, and display three-dimensional data relating to tree crowns and forest canopies. The CRN Network plans to:
- Compile an array of research questions and issues requiring information on canopy structure,
- Examine useful information models and software tools already in use in allied fields, and
- Develop conceptual models and recommendations for the types and format of information and analyses necessary to answer research questions posed by canopy researchers.
To subscribe to the bulletin board, send a message to: canopy-request@LTERnet.edu. The CRW is now conducting a survey on canopy structure research and potentially useful tools.
To participate in or provide information for the survey, contact:
- Nalini M. Nadkarni, The Evergreen State College, Lab I, Olympia, Washington 98505, 206-866-6000, ext. 6621, 866-6794 (FAX) or
- Geoffery Parker, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, P.O. Box 28, Edgewater, Maryland 21037, 301-261-4190.