Name: Conserving the canopy
Uploaded: 2009-03-04T01:00:00Z
Duration: 16 min 10 s
Description: A unique ecosystem of plants, birds and monkeys thrives in the treetops of the rainforest. Nalini Nadkarni explores these canopy worlds -- and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships.

A unique ecosystem of plants, birds and monkeys thrives in the treetops of the rainforest. Nalini Nadkarni explores these canopy worlds -- and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships.

Conserving the canopy

The forest canopy is a rich, fragile world that harbors thousands of unique species, including over 4,000 types of ants living only above ground. Conservation efforts face the challenge of slow canopy recovery, as mosses and epiphytes can take more than 20 years to return if lost. Innovative partnerships, from rap collaborations with urban youth to moss-growing projects in prisons, reveal new ways science can engage wider communities. Sharing the wonder and importance of treetop ecosystems inspires action beyond academia and helps bridge society’s gap with nature.