Spiders that hunt at night often have a special layer at the back of their big eyes. It acts like a mirror to bounce light back into the eyes. On a dark night, this reflected light makes the spider's eyes seem to glow!
Gardens in the Sky: The Plants that Live in the Giant Redwood Forest Canopy
Maintenance of ancient trees and their forests
Most of the giant redwood forests have been logged. Understanding the ecology of these ancient forests is critical to the success of attempts to protect the remaining remnants of the once mighty northern California forests. Epiphytes are plants that grow on trees without causing them harm. In the redwood forests, these mosses, liverworts and lichens grow in abundance on giant Sitka spruce trees and provide food and shelter for other plants and animals, as well as contributing to forest nutrient cycles. Expert biologists from Humboldt State University, U.S.A., have been climbing these giant spruce trees, often reaching heights of 305 feet (90 meters), to investigate the plant communities occupying the forest canopy. The results from this research will help to determine the ecological requirements of these forests and assist in a conservation plan for their protection.
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GF Research
