Over 60% of the worlds’ biodiversity is supported by the forest canopy. Canopies form an interface between the atmosphere and forest. They facilitate interactions such as photosynthesis, respiration, carbon flux and nutrient cycling. The Asian forest canopies remain unexplored and there is an urgent need to scientifically study and assess this unique subset of the habitat. Thus, a regional workshop was proposed with the intention of bringing experts and prospective canopy scientists to establish a network which would facilitate interactions and cross site learning of this emerging scientific field to solve global environmental challenges particularly biodiversity conservation, climate change and land use change in the Asian region. The scoping workshop was publicized in local media and journals and was held ahead of the “Biodiversity Asia 2012” conference which was the Asia chapter meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology held in Bangalore during August 7th- 11th. The workshop was juxtaposed head of this conference in order to maximize participation from the Asian region. Success of the workshop was marked by the enthusiastic participation by 24 persons from five countries. The workshop gave an insight into the canopy science so far in India and laid ground for focused group discussions. Subsequently, the participants came out with ideas which broadly fit into three categories: Biodiversity and Monitoring; Patterns and Processes and Outreach and Education. In conclusion, the roadmap for future was charted out by initiating an email discussion group in which the participants would interact regularly and develop the concepts proposed in the workshop further.
Project • CBA2011-17NSG-Devy