Austrop - Station Facilities

STATION FACILITIES

The Daintree tropical lowland forests, wetlands and shorelines present an in- exhaustible array of potential research projects, from the very long term (eg plant phenology, micrometerology) to the short term (HPLC analysis of ant gland contents). The Station is well equipped (2 aircon labs, extensive field equipment, HPLC, GC, Gel Electrophoresis, microscopes, histological facilities, and so on). The only limitations are the imagination and capabilities of the researcher. Accommodation is in light and airy bunkhouse style buildings. Food is plentiful and we are proud to boast a wide variety of cooking styles and menus (The Station is not called "Cape Tribulation Cooking Camp" for nothing!).

The Station does not have a formal intern program schedule (after all we primarily exist to facilitate research). It is impossible to be specific as to what projects will be in progress at the Station, but there will certainly be something new and different! We do research year-round; whether a specific project is available depends on the idiosyncrasies of the weather, plants, animals and funding authorities (usually us!).

We can also accommodate student groups up to a maximum of 20.

Previous research has included:

development of techniques for assisted regeneration of rainforests

development of appropriate technology for living in the wet tropics (particularly energy conservation)

productivity, phenology and pollination of cluster figs

ecology of flying foxes (fruit bats) and their relatives

conservation biology of flying foxes - particularly development of non-lethal deterrent systems (applied science/ electrical engineering)

rainforest and reef conservation

chemical analysis of plant and insect materials

Weed control technologies

plus a variety of projects by researchers inside and outside the Station.

Current research includes:

developing GPS collars for flying foxes

developing GIS systems to go with this

hydrology of the Cape Tribulation basin

development of instrumentation for various projects (we can use ALL the computer programmers and electronics engineers that might wish to come!!)

analysing the toxins of stinging trees

recovery of littoral vegetation following removal of exotics. a.k.a. weed control! Energy use efficiency

Great Barrier Reef work - though close to our heart, this project has been put on hold for the time being because of high water turbidity levels on the fringing reef—largely as a result of prawn trawling (shrimp boats).

There are also a number of tourism-based projects available - mostly conducting surveys of tour operators and tourists, and analysing the responses. We are particularly interested in people's attitudes relating to the natural environment and conservation.

ACCOMMODATION

The Research Station can accommodate up to 20 in 4 comfortable, if basic, 2 room bunk houses (some double rooms are available for couples) . Showers have solar hot water (so hope the sun shines!!) and laundry facilities are available, toilets are composting toilets (use no water). Water is from a local spring (the best water you are likely to drink) - All meals are provided, breakfast and lunch are self catered and dinner is a communal affair with everyone helping with preparation and cooking and cleaning up. Student groups fondly refer to this place as "Cape Tribulation Cooking Camp".

Power (mains-equivalent 240V ac) is produced primarily by solar 2.5 KW solar array with a diesel back-up generator.

We attempt to live 'gently' on the landscape and practice and demonstrate low impact ‘sustainable’ living.

Adjacent to the Station is an extensive exotic fruit orchard, primarily specialising in fruit of Indo-Malaysian origin.

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