There's nothing like it anywhere else
You might have already heard about JCU’s Daintree Rainforest Observatory, but discover just how unique this one-of-a-kind research facility really is.
The DRO is located within one of the world’s oldest rainforests, with evolutionary lineages dating back 180 million years. It also has the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem in Australia, with at least 663 vertebrate species calling the Daintree home, along with as many as 40,000 species of insects.
Now, imagine soaring over the canopy of this natural wonder and observing its unique habitats from above. JCU is doing just that, thanks to its rainforest canopy crane – the only one of its kind in Australia.
The DRO’s canopy crane is 47m tall and has a radius of 55m, meaning it can cover more than one hectare of rainforest and provide invaluable access to the rainforest canopy for research. As much as half of all the world’s biodiversity is located in the canopy, and having access from above provides greater insights into this remarkable world.
Unlocking the Daintree's secrets
“The canopy can be seen as the last frontier of biological research. A lot of what happens in a rainforest happens in the canopy. That’s where all of the energy enters the ecosystem, and that’s where most of the photosynthesis happens,” says DRO manager Johan Larson.
“Without a crane, the only way to study it (the canopy) I guess is through tree climbing - which people do. But having a crane to access the canopy is amazing. It enables you to do so much more. It enables you to actually go up there and collect samples, take equipment up there and set experiments. A lot of that is virtually impossible without the canopy crane.
“It’s also an appreciation experience for the students we take up there, and they can get an understanding of what the rainforest looks like from above.”
Three people can use the crane at any one time. The crane – which was also the first of its kind installed in the southern hemisphere – is used by students, researchers and visitors, including high school students.
Research that matters
It’s not just in the rainforest canopy where important research is being performed at the DRO. The observatory’s location - in lowland tropical rainforest featuring numerous creeks, fringing reefs and mangrove habitats - gives researchers access to many different ecosystems.
Research is performed in a diverse range of fields including ecology, hydrology, plant physiology, animal behaviour, entomology and mycology.
Research projects include the simulation of an extended drought to see what effect climate change may have on rainforests, experiments into regenerating rainforests, and studies on unique species such as the peppermint stick insect.
Cutting-edge technology is also used in the field, including thermal imagery that revealed a larger population of elusive Bennett’s tree kangaroos living in the Daintree than previously thought.
“You’re very lucky to ever see them, they’re in the top of the trees in the very thickest part of the rainforest,” says Johan of the kangaroos, which can weigh as much as 14kg.
“It turns out using thermal cameras is a great way of finding them. Now we’re actually able to study these guys, and we’ve realized we have quite a few around the station.”
Learning where it counts
Whether it be searching for elusive marsupials or conducting research into climate change, the DRO provides an immersive learning experience that is second to none, and students completing science degrees at JCU have the opportunity to enhance their studies by using its unique facilities.
The observatory regularly hosts students from a wide range of disciplines including Environmental Management, Zoology and Ecology, Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology. Thanks to the DRO’s impressive facilities - including accommodation for up to 50 people, a lecture theatre and laboratories - students can benefit from extended stays at the observatory.
“Most people are blown away when they first see the observatory. The students love the facilities and the experiences they get to have,” says Johan.
“We’re very fortunate to have a facility like this. There really is nothing like it.”
To find out more about the DRO’s cutting-edge facilities and research, visit its website, and stay up to date with current research on its Facebook and Instagram pages.