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16,666,000 Yen
For pushing forward the researches on tropical forest crown, we have developed the light weight portable observation system. The system allows us to move around and work inside the crown with minimum environmental disturbance. For this system we are using light weight alloy, FRP, and newly developed materials such as carbon fiber and polyamide fiber; all of which have the characteristics of light weight and high strength. The system consists of the horizontal section, and up and down section. The horizontal moving section is a suspension bridge made of light weight, high tension Kevler fiber rope. By the results from installing tests, it shows enough stability and safety. After further efforts for lightening the total weight and making the price low, we believe it can be versatile for actual observation works. The vertical sections have unique square cross-section structure made by four carbon fiber ropes, light weight alloy frame, and FRP steps. The ropes are suspended by a deck frame made of light weight alloy which is attached to the upper portion of tree trunk. The installing test for this section also shows that the system has high strength and stability in spite of its light weight, as well as safe and efficient observation works. According to an actual installing test for both horizontal and vertical sections, we found the system gave almost no disturbance on forest floor, and little damage on the tree trunk. Accordingly, we can say the system is useful, and environmental acceptable for the tropical forest crone observation. Another development has been done for observations on structures and phenomena on forest crown surface. . We developed a balloon and a remote control system to take aerial photographs in low altitude. Using the system, we made some actual observation on the forest crown.
Tree Climbing, Canopy Walk, Observation System, Low Altitude Aerial Photograph