Canopy Raft

Posted by Miss Cellania in Science & Tech on June 26, 2009 at 10:42 pm


How do researchers study the tops of rain forests? One way is to use a canopy raft, which is flown up and settled on the very tops of trees.

canopy rafts are extraordinary things. they’re basically enormous nets attached to an inflatable frame and are dropped onto trees from airships, resulting in a viewing platform like no other which can also be used as a base from which to hang using climbing gear. the raft above is the solvin bretzel, a new design by gilles ebersolt which due to its pretzel-inspired shape is both safer to use and more effective than older versions. researchers can spend days at a time on the raft (hence the tent) and due to its extremely light weight the trees are left unharmed.

deputy dog shows us several other ways scientists can get to the tops of forests to study the ecosystems that sustain the majority of our planet’s species. Link

(image credit: Pyot Laurent/Ocean Vert)

 
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Bear Shaped Sleeping Bag

Posted by Queuebot in Animal, Arts & Crafts on February 21, 2009 at 6:56 am


Getting mauled has never been so fun! This bear-shaped sleeping bag designed by Eiko Ishizawa is, let’s face it, odd. But if you’re forced to curl into a sleeping bag and catch some Z’s in the great outdoors, why not masquerade as one of nature’s cutest predators? I’m sure it’s warm enough, and you can use it to frighten your friends. Plus, if a bear does attack your camp and maul your friends, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be safe. Because a bear would never maul one of its own, right? Quick warning, though, if that’s the case and Attacking Bear thinks Sleeping Bag Bear is cute, you may wish you were amongst the mauled.

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by whitespace.

 
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