Canopy Crane Access System

Cranes and sites specifications

Parque Metropolitano Canopy Crane

Variable Characteristics
Location Parque Natural Metropolitano, near Panama City, Pacific coast, Panama 8º59'N, 79º33'W
Altitude 30m
Mean annual air temperature 26.3°C (updated figure here)
Mean annual rainfall 1865mm (updated figure here)
Type of forest Tropical dry semi-deciduous forest
Area of forest accessed by the crane 0.85ha
Canopy height 30-40m
Crane model Potain F15-15C, fixed
Height of tower / Length of jib 42m/52m
Maximum height reached by the gondola 39.5m
Gondola type
  1. squared, 0.64x0.64x2.23m
  2. squared, 1.22x1.22x2.23m
  3. squared, 1.23x1.52x2.39m
Number of persons carried by gondola
  1. 1
  2. 4
  3. 6
In operation since 1990
Main research topics
  • Structure and dynamics of the upper canopy
  • Plant growth and phenology
  • Biodiversity (fungi, epiphytes, insects)
  • Biotic interaction (pollination, herbivory)
  • Plant ecophysiology (carbon assimilation, water use, etc.)
  • Plant physiological responses to a changing environment (elevated CO2, isoprene emission, plant uptake of reactive nitrogen, etc.)
Remarks Comparative studies possible with the San Lorenzo crane
Management Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Contact Dr Yves Basset, STRI, bassety@si.edu

San Lorenzo Canopy Crane

Variable Characteristics
Location Parque Nacional San Lorenzo (aka Fort Sherman), near Colon, Caribbean coast, Panama 9º17'N, 79º58'W
Altitude 130m
Mean annual air temperature 25.8°C (updated figure here)
Mean annual rainfall 3152mm (updated figure here)
Type of forest Tropical wet evergreen forest
Area of forest accessed by the crane 0.9ha
Canopy height 35-45m
Crane model Kroell K-70, fixed
Height of tower / Length of jib 52m/54m
Maximum height reached by the gondola 49.5m
Gondola type
  1. cylindrical, diameter 0.53m, height 2.35m
  2. squared, 1.22x1.22x2.23m
Number of persons carried by gondola
  1. 1
  2. 4
In operation since 1997
Main research topics
  • Structure and dynamics of the upper canopy
  • Plant growth and phenology
  • Biodiversity (fungi, epiphytes, insects)
  • Biotic interaction (pollination, herbivory)
  • Plant ecophysiology (carbon assimilation, water use, etc.)
  • Plant physiological responses to a changing environment (elevated CO2, isoprene emission, plant uptake of reactive nitrogen, etc.)
Remarks Comparative studies possible with the Parque Natural Metropolitano crane
Management Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Contact Dr Yves Basset, STRI, bassety@si.edu

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