A Mobile Canopy Access Platform for Environmental and Physiological Research at Harvard Forest

哈佛大学的David Foster博士获得了一笔赠款，用于购买一个移动树冠访问平台，以支持哈佛森林的研究。森林冠层是森林生态系统内物质、能量和动量交换的关键场所。然而，对冠层内发生的生理和物理过程的检查受到后勤困难的阻碍，因为进行研究需要在离地面很远的高度使用复杂的设备。这笔赠款所提供的资金将用于购买一种移动式天篷进出平台，这种平台在建筑业中被称为铰接式吊杆升降机。这个“宏观操纵器”将加强六名研究人员正在进行的项目，他们在哈佛森林的工作重点是树木生理学、生态系统过程和大气-生物圈交换。森林本质上是三维系统。移动冠层访问系统将为研究人员提供将研究扩展到新领域和新维度的能力。移动平台非常适合在哈佛森林进行研究，因为森林的高度相对较低（约20米），并且有广泛的消防道路网络。目前，哈佛森林的树冠通道仅限于少数固定的塔楼。移动树冠系统将使我们的研究扩展到更广泛的群落类型，并从更多的树木中取样。此外，移动树冠访问平台与经常需要收集破坏性样本的生理研究兼容。将从购买该仪器中受益的具体项目包括：福斯特博士对铁杉绒蚜（一种最近引进的铁杉害虫）影响的研究，巴扎兹博士对森林树木光合作用-氮动力学的研究，霍尔布鲁克博士对高大树木水运的研究，沃夫西博士对森林生态系统与大气之间二氧化碳交换的研究，阿贝尔博士对森林生态系统慢性氮沉积影响的研究，以及斯图德勒博士关于全球变暖和中纬度森林生态系统碳储量的研究。哈佛森林是一个重要的研究和教学场所。哈佛森林的大部分研究都是为了了解森林生态系统在人类干扰和全球气候变化方面的功能和稳定性。因此，获得这一工具将有助于我们了解这一重要生态系统的健康和复原力。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. David Foster at Harvard University to purchase a mobile canopy access platform to support research at the Harvard Forest. Forest canopies are key sites for the exchange of mass, energy and momentum within forest ecosystems. However, examination of the physiological and physical processes occurring within the canopy is hampered by logistic difficulties of conducting research that involves sophisticated equipment at heights far above the ground. The funds provided in this grant will allow the purchase of a mobile canopy access platform of the type referred to as an articulated boom lift in the construction industry. This "macromanipulator" will enhance ongoing projects of six investigators whose work at the Harvard Forest focuses on tree physiology, ecosystem processes, and atmosphere-biosphere exchange. Forests are inherently three-dimensional systems. A mobile canopy access system will provide investigators with the ability to expand their research into new areas and new dimensions. A mobile platform is well suited to research at the Harvard Forest due to the relatively low stature of the forest (~ 20 m) and the extensive network of fire roads. At present, canopy access at the Harvard Forest is limited to a small number of fixed towers. A mobile canopy system will allow us to extend our studies to a broader range of community types and to sample from a larger number of trees. In addition, a mobile canopy access platform is compatible with physiological studies that frequently require the collection of destructive samples. Specific projects that will benefit from the purchase of this instrument include: Dr. Foster's studies of the impact of the hemlock wooly adelgid, a recently introduced pest of hemlock trees, Dr. Bazzaz's research on photosynthesis-nitrogen dynamics in forest trees, Dr. Holbrook's studies of water transport in tall trees, Dr. Wofsy's studies of CO2 exchange between forest ecosystems and the atmosphere, Dr. Aber's studies of the effects of chronic nitrogen deposition on forest ecosystems, and Dr. Steudler's research on global warming and carbon storage in mid-latitude forest ecosystems.The Harvard Forest is an important site for both research and teaching. Much of the research at the Harvard Forest is directed at understanding the function and stability of forest ecosystems in relation to human disturbance and global climate change. Thus, the acquisition of this instrument will contribute to our understanding of the health and resilience of this important ecosystem.