Deeper into the forest

Emma's field work blog 3:

Following the first successful camping trip and our second vocal array survey, we ventured across the river from camp, and delved deeper into the forest.

The walk to camp was hard going, 28°C and 90% humidity, so you sweat a lot! But when we got to the place we camp, it was worth it, it was very beautiful.

First things first, whilst our great team set up camp for us, we set out to set up our vocal arrays for the following four days of primate recording.

As the forest has been historically logged, a large logging road runs through our sample area.

The road has not been used for almost 20 years, however, the result is not positive. Due to the removal of the native dipterocarp trees, environmental conditions have been changed, providing the perfect conditions for other vegetation to grow, like ferns.

These ferns have grown so rapidly they have completely covered the area, blocking all the light which has prevented any recruitment of tree samplings. The temperature here is noticeably hotter, showing the effect of forest destruction on climate and no animal species were seen within the ferns….not even insects. Below, Chris is trying to work his way through these ferns.

On the way to our third array post, we noticed strange markings on a tree…..these were claw marks from a sun bear! It’s nice to know these animals are still surviving in this area (below).

As well as undertaking vocal arrays and vegetation surveys, Chris is collecting data on soil quality within the forest. Measuring PH and temperature, he is hoping to ascertain if there is a link between tree species and density and soil quality. The results will be extremely interesting.

Later we had a little friend visiting us at the camp (below).