The main advantage of the project is to allow Europe to manage long term research projects in a tropical region which is under its sovereignty. The project consists in the reinforcement of an already existing, but on a modest scale, international facility, able to offer many possibilities of cooperation with research centres in the Amazon region. From a training and teaching point of view in relation with the subjects mentioned above, the facility offers, with the participation of local permanent scientists, the possibility of organizing training session associating field work, laboratory work, and theoretical courses. Such operations are regularly organized for students and researchers from both developed and developing countries. Moreover, the facility offers good opportunity for developping new metrological means.
Works are in progress on the use of microwave remote-sensing and low altitude imagery.
It aims at developing research on forest ecosystems. It is working as a structure for the elaboration, the management and the evaluation of interinstitutional research programmes. Support to users will be provided by the permanent staff, both scientists, engineers and technicians. The documentation service will be available, as well as the herbarium, and the existing database staff will be at the disposal of users. The specificity of the rainforest environment makes it difficult for newcomers to be at ease in the forest.