Figure

Vines snaking up into the rainforest canopy, Daintree. In the tropical forest, the majority of flowering and fruiting occurs high in the canopy, an ecosystem that is largely out of reach from observers on the ground. The mere presence of the vines that climb into the lofty heights adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the forest high above. Relatively little is known about the interactions of this aerial frontier, with studies of the rainforest canopy requiring skilled climbing techniques, aerial walkways and specially built cranes to gain access. Wildlife and insects tend to do it the old-fashioned way by using the tree trunks and vines that provide a natural highway into the upper reaches of the forest.