One 25 ha plot of untouched forest. Topography and soils are mapped. Data are integrated in a Geographical Information System. Computer network and interface software ensure the accessibility of those data. Arlequin also offers access to the databanks of the herbarium, of the wood sample collection and of the documentation.
Access is provided on Internet, and therefore possible from Europe.
All laboratories, except herbarium, are located in Kourou. Offices and laboratories represent more or less 3000 m 2 of air conditioned building. Special attention should be paid to the integration of these three levels of scientific work during the periods spent in French Guiana. This is more or less the equivalent of 10 projects. Its area is 8,5 Million hectares, among which 8 Million hectares are occupied by humid tropical forest, which is part of the big amazonian forest entity.