Day 3 Tues 6th

Rainforest Reconnaissance Team

The question is "What do you do when it never stops raining?" Answer: you go out on a rainforest reconnaissance mission. Using GPS - global positioning system, Steve and Collin drove along a rainforest track, getting measurements at 100 metre intervals, planning future transect sites. We got to "hitch" a ride and keep out of the rain!!!

Meet the Scientist

What can I say about the Principal Investigator, Prof. Steve Williams? All- round 'nice" guy, rainforest advocator!

Steve's passion for the rainforest is infectious and he is "out-there" educating the public about climate change.

By using DNA analysis to compare the genetic variation between organisms of the same species, it can be determined which ones are more likely to survive the predicted 4 degrees Celsius increase due to climate change.

To quote Steve "understanding how climate change affects the rainforest organisms – i.e understanding its vulnerability - may protect the species from extinction".

The positive thing is that Steve remains optimistic about the fate of his beloved Wet Tropics.

Chameleon Gecko - Carphodactylus Laevis

Oh what beautiful brown eyes!!!

This little cutie is about to have part of its tail chopped for DNA analysis!