Appropriate - Technology Access to Stimulate Research in Tropical Rain Forest Biology

热带研究组织的La Selva生物站位于哥斯达黎加共和国的热带潮湿森林中，已成为世界上研究原始和改变的热带生态系统生态学最活跃的地点之一。该站最近的发展推动了研究用途的快速和持续增长。先进的实验室设施、丰富的生物多样性资源、全新的地理信息/数据库管理系统、多样的观测和操作栖息地、优良的基础设施、以及友好的社会政治环境都为拉塞尔瓦的持续增长做出了贡献。然而，对发挥该站的研究和教育潜力来说，一个重大问题是难以进入保护区大约一半的地区。OTS将为行人、自行车和小型电动汽车创建一个合适的技术、环保的通道系统。西部附件快速交通系统（WART）是一条长6公里，宽1.7米的铺设路径，将实验室/生活区连接到La Selva最遥远的部分。水隧概念的发展，以及设计中所采用的环境和工程准则，都经过深思熟虑。该项目将为研究范围从分子到生态系统，以及从原始低地雨林到废弃牧场的栖息地的研究人员带来直接和实质性的好处。改善获取途径对于实现La Selva在推进热带科学方面的巨大潜力至关重要。西部附件快速运输系统将采用适合交通问题规模的技术，并采用环境敏感的设计，提供这一通道。

The La Selva Biological Station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, located in tropical wet forests of the Republic of Costa Rica, has become one of the world's most active sites for research on the ecology of pristine and altered tropical ecosystems. Recent developments at the Station have fueled a rapid and sustained increase in research usage. Advanced laboratory facilities, spectacular biodiversity resources, a new Geographic Information/Database Management System, diverse habitats for observation and manipulation, excellent infrastructure, and a welcoming socio-political environment have all contributed to La Selva's continuing growth. A substantial to fulfilling the research and education potential of the station, however, has been the difficulty of access to approximately half of the reserve's area. OTS will create an appropriate-technology, environmentally benign access system for pedestrians, bicycles, and small electric vehicles. The Western Annex Rapid Transit system (WART) is a 6-km long, 1.7 m wide paved path that will link laboratory/living areas to the most distant sections of La Selva. Development of the WART concept and the environmental and engineering criteria employed in its design are well thought out. The project will bring immediate and substantial benefits to researchers whose projects range from molecules to ecosystems, and in habitats from primary lowland rain forest to abandoned pastures. Improved access is critical to realizing La Selva's outstanding potential to advance tropical science. The Western Annex Rapid Transit system, using technology appropriate tot he scale of the transportation problem and applied in an environmentally-sensitive design, will provide this access.