TY - JOUR
T1 - Extending Our Scientific Reach in Arboreal Ecosystems for Research and Management
AU - Cannon, Charles H.
AU - Borchetta, Colby
AU - Anderson, David L.
AU - Arellano, Gabriel
AU - Barker, Martin
AU - Charron, Guillaume
AU - LaMontagne, Jalene M.
AU - Richards, Jeannine H.
AU - Abercrombie, Ethan
AU - Banin, Lindsay F.
AU - Tagle Casapia, Ximena
AU - Chen, Xi
AU - Degtjarenko, Polina
AU - Dell, Jane E.
AU - Durden, David
AU - Guevara Andino, Juan Ernesto
AU - Hernández-Gutiérrez, Rebeca
AU - Hirons, Andrew D.
AU - Kua, Chai Shian
AU - La Vigne, Hughes
AU - Leponce, Maurice
AU - Lim, Jun Ying
AU - Lowman, Margaret
AU - Marshall, Andrew J.
AU - Michaletz, Sean T.
AU - Normark, Benjamin B.
AU - Penneys, Darin S.
AU - Schneider, Gerald F.
AU - Strijk, Joeri S.
AU - Tiamiyu, Bashir B.
AU - Trammell, Tara L.E.
AU - Vargas-Rodriguez, Yalma L.
AU - Weintraub-Leff, Samantha R.
AU - Lussier Desbiens, Alexis
AU - Spenko, Matthew
N1 - Funding Information:
The research presented in this article was supported by the Center for Tree Science at The Morton Arboretum.
PY - 2021/11/8
Y1 - 2021/11/8
N2 - The arboreal ecosystem is vitally important to global and local biogeochemical processes, the maintenance of biodiversity in natural systems, and human health in urban environments. The ability to collect samples, observations, and data to conduct meaningful scientific research is similarly vital. The primary methods and modes of access remain limited and difficult. In an online survey, canopy researchers (n = 219) reported a range of challenges in obtaining adequate samples, including ∼10% who found it impossible to procure what they needed. Currently, these samples are collected using a combination of four primary methods: (1) sampling from the ground; (2) tree climbing; (3) constructing fixed infrastructure; and (4) using mobile aerial platforms, primarily rotorcraft drones. An important distinction between instantaneous and continuous sampling was identified, allowing more targeted engineering and development strategies. The combination of methods for sampling the arboreal ecosystem provides a range of possibilities and opportunities, particularly in the context of the rapid development of robotics and other engineering advances. In this study, we aim to identify the strategies that would provide the benefits to a broad range of scientists, arborists, and professional climbers and facilitate basic discovery and applied management. Priorities for advancing these efforts are (1) to expand participation, both geographically and professionally; (2) to define 2–3 common needs across the community; (3) to form and motivate focal teams of biologists, tree professionals, and engineers in the development of solutions to these needs; and (4) to establish multidisciplinary communication platforms to share information about innovations and opportunities for studying arboreal ecosystems.
AB - The arboreal ecosystem is vitally important to global and local biogeochemical processes, the maintenance of biodiversity in natural systems, and human health in urban environments. The ability to collect samples, observations, and data to conduct meaningful scientific research is similarly vital. The primary methods and modes of access remain limited and difficult. In an online survey, canopy researchers (n = 219) reported a range of challenges in obtaining adequate samples, including ∼10% who found it impossible to procure what they needed. Currently, these samples are collected using a combination of four primary methods: (1) sampling from the ground; (2) tree climbing; (3) constructing fixed infrastructure; and (4) using mobile aerial platforms, primarily rotorcraft drones. An important distinction between instantaneous and continuous sampling was identified, allowing more targeted engineering and development strategies. The combination of methods for sampling the arboreal ecosystem provides a range of possibilities and opportunities, particularly in the context of the rapid development of robotics and other engineering advances. In this study, we aim to identify the strategies that would provide the benefits to a broad range of scientists, arborists, and professional climbers and facilitate basic discovery and applied management. Priorities for advancing these efforts are (1) to expand participation, both geographically and professionally; (2) to define 2–3 common needs across the community; (3) to form and motivate focal teams of biologists, tree professionals, and engineers in the development of solutions to these needs; and (4) to establish multidisciplinary communication platforms to share information about innovations and opportunities for studying arboreal ecosystems.
KW - arbornaut
KW - canopy access
KW - canopy biology
KW - canopy crane
KW - Drones (UAV)
KW - epiphytic
KW - robotics
KW - sampling design
KW - tree climbing
KW - tree canopy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119612858&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/ffgc.2021.712165
DO - 10.3389/ffgc.2021.712165
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85119612858
VL - 4
JO - Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
JF - Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
SN - 2624-893X
M1 - 712165
ER -