Forest canopies not only support high terrestrial biodiversity but also represent a critical
interface between the atmosphere and the earth. They provide goods and services to support
diverse human communities and offer opportunities to explore sustainable use of these resources
for many generations of local livelihoods. Forest canopies are important carbon sequestration
units and in this sense serve as climate control for the planet. Canopies are important
energy production centers for the planet and serve as the basis for many food chains. The
canopy can also act as a hook for education outreach and conservation inspiring ecotourism
through recreation and other sustainable uses such as treetop walks zip lines and birding.
Despite these critical services provided by forest canopies almost no dedicated research in
the treetops was initiated until as recently as the late 1970s when single rope techniques were
developed by mountaineering professionals and adapted for use in the canopy. Subsequently an
array of canopy access tools was designed in the 1980s and early 1990s that have opened up this
eighth continent for global exploration and discovery. This volume uses the major findings of
the 5th international canopy conference as a platform for organization but it does not mimic
the sessions and presentations of the conference itself. Instead it builds on the important
themes that emerged from the conference and solicits articles that represent future priorities
and advancements for canopy science in the next decade. Despite the global efforts of hundreds
of forest scientists over the past 3 decades forests are degrading at an accelerated rate and
biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Given these trends - despite the
very best efforts of the world's best scientists - other approaches must be taken. This volume
summarizes the issue of treetops at risk and assembles a global authorship to examine past
accomplishments and future initiatives critical in forest conservation.
