Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Canopy Walkway























The Canopy Walkway is the world’s longest 500 metres, strung up to 40 metres high above the forest floor. It was built by the staff of the Department of Wildlife & National Parks. For safety, every inch of it is checked every morning. The ropes have a minimum snapping strength of 5 tons and the steel cables more than 10 tons. The trees are protected with wooden spacers fitted between the bark and the cables and ropes: no nails have been driven into the trees. Every measure has been taken to protect the health of the trees and the visitors.
Regulations while on the Canopy WalkwayTo ensure the safety of visitors while on the canopy walkway, regulations as below are to be followed :-
1. Visitors are advised to be at least five (5) metres away from each other while on the bridge ( walkway ).
2. Only four (4) persons are allowed to be on each bridge at a time.
3. Do not run and sway on the bridge.
4. Do not take any food and drinks while on the canopy walkway.
5. Do not stop at a long period while on the canopy walkway.
6. No smoking on the canopy walkway.
7. Do not carry sharp instruments, e.g. daggers.
8. Do not vandalise or engrave on the trees while on the platform.
9. Do not make noise.
10.You are requested to obey orders from the officer-in-charge.
There are altogether nine (9) bridges and eight (8) platforms along the 500 metres canopy
walkway. The descriptions on each bridge and platform are as follows:-
Bridge 1 is 29 metres long.
Platform 1 (21.6 metres) is on a Tualang Tree and has a view of the Tembeling River. From here you can probably see the orange-yellow flowers of the Phanera vine: the fibres of the stem can be used to make the string used for traditional tops (gasing ). Can you also see epiphytes ? Some trees have peeling bark or very slippery trunks what might be the advantage of this ?
Bridge 2 is newly constructed. Will be updated soon.
Platform 2 is newly constructed. Will be updated soon.
Bridge 3 isnewly constructed. Will be updated soon.
Platform 3 ( 27M / 89 ft the highest ) is on a Keranji Tree, a species with massive buttresses.
Notice the bracket fungi on the branch – and yet another epiphyte growing on the fungi ! Pause a while here to listen for insects .
Bridge 4 is 52 metres long.
Platform 4 ( 19.8 metres ) is on a Keruing Mempelas Tree, a Dipterocarp ( look for winged seeds). Note the other plants ‘ hitching’ aride up this tree.
Bridge 5 is 30 metres long.
Platform 5 ( 5.8 metres ) Another Kempas Tree. You can exit here if you like. (This exit is commonly known as ‘chicken out exit’!)
Bridge 6 ( with ladder ) is 60 metres long.
Platform 6 ( 19.2 metres ) Another Keruing Mempelas. Before leaving the platform, look ahead there is a huge root snaking its way down the tree to the right a strangler fig is now establishing itself. It started from a seed lodged on a branch in bird or animal droppings; eventually it will shade out the host tree, which then will die. By that time, the strangler will be able to stand on its own.
Bridge 7 ( 40 metres ). There is a Meranti Tree ( Shoera sp. ) on your left: tall, straight with fissured bark. There are quite a few Shorea species around here look for the distinctiveseeds. The tree on your right before you get to the next platform is a Berangan. The flower has a very strong smell ( why ? ).
Platform 7 ( 24.6 metres ). Mersawa another Shorea sp. If you look up to the right you will see an example of crown shyness: the canopy of one tree repels the canopy of another and there is a noticeable gap between the leaves of one tree and another. Why ?
See the branches of the nearby tree: they are something hanging below them that looks a bit like a stalagtites. This is a resin called Damar produced by dipterocarps and some other broad-leafed trees. It weeps from the tree after injuryto the bark and hardens into a protective crust, preventing fungal or bacterial infection at the site of the wound.It is used by Meloponinaebees to form the entrance tube to their nests and by people to caulk boats and make high quality varnishes.
Bridge 8 ( 60 metres ). Note the patterns on the bark of the tree to the right: caused by lichens and fungi.
Platform 8 ( 23.3 metres ). Keladan Tree (Drpobalanops ).
Bridge 9 ( 70 metres ). Note the tree lying on the ground to your left. This was cut because it had died and could have been a danger to the walkway. Then exit.

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