Finding a canopy research station in a tree.

A canopy research station is a place where scientists monitor canopy conditions such as plant growth (the tree itself or associated plant growth), climate variations, wildlife habitat, or any number of subjects that interest scientists. The locations are usually never marked with identifiers, either on the ground or in the trees.

What if you were climbing a tree and stumbled upon a research area? What would you do?
1. Would you immediately exit the tree?
2. Would you keep climbing?
3. Would you snoop around and try to figure it out?
4. Would you try to change anything?
5. Would you tell other climbers about what you found?

This is a “What If” question I want to ask all of the climbers here. Please respond everybody.

Immediately exit the tree. My presence could upset data since I don't know what kind of testing is going on. It would be too easy to accidently damage testing gear.

I also think that the tree and it's canopy "ecoscape" is already enduring enough disruption by having potentially frequent climbs by researchers, wouldn't want to add to that.
-moss

A Research Station? ? ?
If I saw it from the ground, I would NOT climb the tree.
If I was already in the tree and then discovered it, I would visually examine it thoroughly and then back away and get out of the tree.

In either case, I would be VERY curious about who (or what organization) is doing research in the area.

Electrojake

i'd back out and leave that tree. Lotsa trees to climb, i dont need to mess up a resaerchers work.

Please note,
That many research projects do not use a station. So be careful, of taking down haul lines.

I have had so many haul lines cut down, take down that where being used fore research.

I have never found a pre-rigged site yet but I mostly climb local city trees. I asume that if a scientist is using a tree for research a small marking or sign should be left back posting informing people to stay away or not to disturb the site or contents there in. I know of one tree that we left a line and hide it behing the tree in a remote area that we were planning to revisit and I reused the line to haul my rope up but I knew why the line was there and who put it there so not harm done. ---I guess---

Generally, when I leave research stuff out in the woods (tags, instruments etc.) I try to be unobtrusive about it. This is for two reasons: a) don't trash the place for people who are out there to enjoy the woods, and b) hide as much as possible from potential vandals. It's reassuring to hear all of the polite consideration people on this board are showing about such matters - but that's pretty typical of the climbers I've encountered.

I guess that I am more mischievous than you guys. I would at least leave them a nice note.

I'll be honest. I'd probably take a nap there. It's my tree, too!

If possible, I'd leave a note. I'd tell them exactly what I did, just so they know if I DID mess something up.

love
nick

I wouldn't do anything with it-except look a little. Then, I'd just keep climbing.

I would examine it and then continue climbing.