apogeotropic roots galore

I just started an independent project here at La Selva on apogeotropic roots. These are roots that grow up other trees, probably to get nutrients flowing down the stem of the trees. I'm working with Beth (UW), Alex (from Univ of WI), and Katie (Scripps) to trace back as many roots as we can find. This means that we're doing a lot of digging. Each root is really fine and fragile when it starts, then gets bigger until it joins a bigger root, which is really exciting. Usually, the roots travel a circuitous path around the forest underground before ending up as an apogeotropic root. Yesterday's searches were great because we had a high success rate- 9 plants in one morning! we only got two after lunch, and then 4 this morning.... It's not nearly as fun when you don't find the parent tree- when the root takes a dive straight downwards or the root breaks or it goes into a crazy tangle of debris or Socratea palm. But when you are able to trace a root back to the parent plant, it's like winning a treasure hunt. I'm hoping we find tons of roots this afternoon.

The most exciting news of the day is that I got some presents from Seattle. Beth's partner, Sarah, came down to visit and brought some stuff for me from Brent, like some clean t-shirts and best of all, my hammock. I"m going to be living it up in my hammock for the rest of the trip.