SAMOA, Falealupo Village, Savai'i Island - July 2002
Tower/walkway construction for the Falealupo Rainforest Preserve
(Samoa, Falealupo 1993 project page)
Click photo to enlarge
The original Falealupo Rainforest Canopy Aerial Walkway was recently removed due to safety concerns regarding the anchoring tree. Seacology is supporting the construction of a new tower and aerial walkway to link into existing observation platforms.*
UPDATE July 2004 - The new tower and walkway is completed. Dr. Paul Cox and Seacology board members attended the dedication ceremony in January 2003. The 2004 maintenance report notes that the new tower remains in good condition in spite of a recent cyclone. However, one tree (Aoa) that anchors an end of the Canopy Walkway shows signs of pathogen establishment from a previous year’s damage. In addition, Cyclone Heta broke a limb of the Aoa in 2003, making it susceptible to further pathogens and rot damage. The village is working this year to maintain the system on a regular basis and monitor the Aoa’s health.
UPDATE January 2006 - The rainforest surrounding the walkway has visually recovered from the 2004 cyclone. However, there is still the existing damage to the Aoa. Although the edge of the opening, the result of a limb falling off, has begun to heal, there still is a large opening to the inside of the tree where rain and pathogens have easy access. This site needs to be monitored for increased deterioration.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by: 
