The International Student Canopy Network
12 Roslin Terrace
AB245LJ Aberdeen
Scotland
+44 (0) 1224649087
[email protected]
Why ISCAN?
ISCAN is a network developed in collaboration with The International Canopy Network and connects students interested in canopy science. Canopy students are just like the established canopy scientists registered on the red list over threatened species, which emphasize the importance of such a network’s existence. A degree programme still does not exist in canopy science, so students interested in this amazing science are widely spread.
This email network will ease communication and can and should be used for discussions, project ideas and questions among students and PhD’s. It also opens a great opportunity for the established scientists to reach the younger generation more efficiently. The network will try and give the science more transparency in how an interested student can get involved, by providing information on canopy science in its broadest sense. We will also provide details on where to gather more information from the sources already available. Go to http://groups.google.com/group/Canopy-Students to sign up for the network. To send messages to the group, email [email protected] . I hope you find the content on this homepage useful and wish you my best in your journey through the great canopies.
~ John Switzer Haagensen
Getting Up There
There are now many means of accessing canopies; canopy walkways, cranes, air balloons and of course climbing using rope techniques. The methods have each their pros and cons and financial costs, which is always important for students.
Cranes and air balloons are in the more expensive end of the scale, whereas walkways and climbing is cheaper and more affordable for students. However, walkways are restricted to the area where they have been put up and might not be in an area close to you or in the area that one wants to study.
The rope climbing technique is extremely mobile and affordable but does require the necessary training. Two climbing techniques are currently being used and heavily debated, the two rope technique and the single rope technique.
The Global Canopy Programme offers certified climbing courses in the two rope technique in UK, Borneo, and Brazil but many others provides training. A list of providers can be found here. These training courses are essential for your safety up there but is also a great way of meeting fellow students or people simply interested in the canopies. They will most likely be able to help you in your pursuit of a career/project within this science. People are extremely helpful and will most likely answer your questions or pass you on to a person that can. Use this when necessary.
Forum and mailing list to ISCAN
One of the main aims of ISCAN is to ease the communication between all of us interested in canopy science. Therefore a forum and email list has been made to connect all of us. To join simply follow the link here and the instructions on the site. Eventually all of this will be a part of this homepage but until then this solution has to suffice. Use the network for any questions, suggestions, stories you might have and it will be sent to all the members of the network. You can email the present members here.
This network is still in the juvenile stage so feel free to post suggestions for any improvements. We already have members from several continents but need more, so spread the word and maybe download the posters from this site and put it up at your University. To join the mailing list and enable yourself to contact the students already involved send a message to [email protected] .
ICAN also manages a seperate listserve for canopy scientists, students, and others interested in forest canopies. To subscribe send a message to [email protected]