15 #MOST #Spectacular #Forests | #BEAUTIFUL #Forests and #Trees
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00:00From crystal blue forests to forests that look like clouds, here are the top 15 most spectacular forests in the world.
00:07Let's start with number 15, the Blue Forest. Look to Belgium for the Hallerbos, or Halle Forest.
00:14It's situated in the municipality of Halle, between the regions of Flanders and Wallonia. This forest covers an area of about
00:211360 acres. Now while it's not far from the city of Brussels, the Hallerbos often flies under the radar of many tourists.
00:28However, for those that go there during the right season, the experience is nothing short of magical.
00:33The Hallerbos has a rich history,
00:35tracing back to a time when it was part of the vast Silva Carbonarium, an ancient forest that once stretched across much of this region.
00:41It remained connected to this famous Sonnian forest by a strip of woodland as late as 1777.
00:47However, the forest underwent significant changes during World War I, when the occupying German forces felled many of these old trees.
00:55The forest was reforested between 1930 and 1950, helping to restore that natural beauty. Each spring here, from late April to early May,
01:03millions of bluebells bloom,
01:05carpeting the forest floor in a vibrant shade of blue. And of course, this spectacle gives the Hallerbos its nickname, the Blue Forest.
01:13The sight of the bluebells stretching as far as the eye can see creates an otherworldly atmosphere that almost feels dreamlike.
01:20And while bluebells aren't unique to the Hallerbos, many of Europe's oldest forests experience similar blooms.
01:26But what sets this forest apart is the sheer density and spread of the flowers.
01:31Walking through the forest during this time feels like stepping into a different world, where nature has woven together a perfect tapestry of color and light.
01:40Number 14. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
01:44Deep in the southwestern corner of Uganda lies the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a place that lives up to its name.
01:52Spanning the districts of Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanugu, this primeval forest sits on the edge of the Albertine Rift,
01:58part of the larger East African Rift System. With elevations ranging from 3,800 to 8,500 feet,
02:04the forest is a complex, dense, and almost forbidding environment. The name Bwindi means a place full of darkness.
02:12This isn't just a poetic name,
02:14this is a reflection of the forest's dense vegetation, which blocks out much of the sunlight. The thick stands of bamboo
02:21interspersed with towering hardwoods and tangled undergrowth make navigating the forest a challenge.
02:26But what truly makes it remarkable is the biodiversity here. It's one of the most diverse forests on the planet.
02:32It's home to around 160 species of trees and over a hundred species of ferns.
02:37This forest is a botanical treasure trove, but the diversity doesn't stop with the plants.
02:42Bwindi is also home to a hundred and twenty species of mammals,
02:46348 species of birds,
02:48228 species of butterflies, and 27 species of frogs. The mountain gorillas here, too, are undoubtedly the stars of the show.
02:56Bwindi is home to more than half of the world's remaining population of these critically endangered primates.
03:01Every day, guided treks lead visitors deep into the forest where they have a rare chance to observe those majestic animals in their natural habitat.
03:08Those treks aren't just a thrilling adventure,
03:11they're a vital part of the conservation efforts here, generating essential funds to protect the gorillas from poaching and habitat destruction.
03:19Number 13, Waipua Forest.
03:22Waipua Forest, the last bastion of the ancient Kauri tree,
03:26located in the Northland region of New Zealand's North Island,
03:29this forest preserves some of the finest examples of Kauri, a tree that once dominated the landscape, but now clings to survival.
03:37Among these giants, two stand out, Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahiri. Each holds the secrets of the forest's rich history.
03:45But what draws nearly
03:47200,000 visitors each year isn't just the chance to walk among these giants,
03:51but the unique experience of standing in the presence of trees that have been around for millennia.
03:57Tane Mahuta, known as Lord of the Forest, is the largest living Kauri tree,
04:02towering over 150 feet high with a girth of nearly 45 feet. It's estimated to be around
04:082,500 years old. It is a humbling reminder of the natural world's resilience.
04:13Not far from Tane Mahuta is Te Matua Ngahiri,
04:16another ancient Kauri, considered the largest by girth and estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.
04:24These trees aren't just big, they're practically living monuments. Waipua Forest, though, isn't just about the big trees.
04:30It's part of a larger ecosystem that includes the Warawara and Puketi Forests,
04:35together holding about three-quarters of New Zealand's remaining mature Kauri trees.
04:40However, this forest faces significant challenges. Kauri dieback disease caused by soil-borne pathogens,
04:46threatens the very trees the forest was established to protect.
04:50This disease has no known cure and its spread has raised serious concerns about the long-term health of Waipua Kauri's population.
04:56The Forest Trust has been vocal in calling for urgent action to address the crisis,
05:01underscoring the need for continued vigilance and conservation efforts.
05:06Number 12. Wistman's Wood.
05:09Wistman's Wood of Dartmoor in Devon,
05:12England is one of Britain's last remaining ancient temperate rainforests and a rare example of high-altitude oak woods.
05:18This woodland has captivated imaginations for centuries, earning its place not only in ecological studies,
05:24but also in folklore and literature. Its gnarled, moss-covered trees and eerie atmosphere offer a glimpse into a
05:31primordial landscape that's endured for millennia.
05:34Wistman's Wood is likely the remnant of an ancient forest that once covered much of Dartmoor around 7,000 BCE,
05:41before any Mesolithic humans began clearing the land.
05:44Over the centuries, the wood has survived changes in climate and human activity, with the oldest trees estimated to be about four to five hundred
05:50years old, and notably in the 20th century, a permanent vegetation plot was established in the wood,
05:56becoming the oldest of its kind in British woodland studies.
05:59This unique environment has inspired numerous artists, poets, and writers over the centuries. One particularly famous visitor was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
06:08who drew inspiration from the wood's spooky ambience and the local legend of the wild hunt for his novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
06:15The wood's name itself may derive from the old dialect word, vished, meaning eerie or haunted,
06:22perfectly capturing the mood of this place.
06:25Number 11. Aokigahara Forest.
06:28The Aokigahara Forest, also known as the Sea of Trees, is a dense forest on the northwestern slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan.
06:36This unique woodland, growing over 12 square miles of hardened lava from the volcanic eruption of 864 CE,
06:43is both a natural wonder and a place of deep cultural significance.
06:47The forest's thick undergrowth and eerie silence, coupled with its historical association with Japanese folklore,
06:53have made Aokigahara a place of fascination and mystery. Now, it's not just any forest,
06:58it is a thriving temperate ecosystem with a rich diversity of plants and animals.
07:03The forest floor, primarily composed of volcanic rock, is home to a variety of plant species.
07:08The dense vegetation here includes everything from towering trees to delicate herbaceous plants,
07:13as well as a wide array of ferns, mosses, and live warts that thrive here in this humid environment.
07:19The animal life is equally diverse. The forest is home to several species of mammals, including the Asiatic black bear, wild boar,
07:26Sika deer, and a variety of smaller creatures like moles, shrews, and squirrels.
07:31This place supports a variety of reptiles and amphibians, too, including the Japanese forest rat snake and the black-spotted frog.
07:38But one of the most intriguing aspects here is the sense of isolation it imparts.
07:43The dense forest canopy, coupled with the porous lava rock that absorbs sound,
07:47creates an eerie silence, making visitors feel as though they're completely alone in the woods.
07:51This sense of solitude is heightened by the forest's historical reputation as a place where yurei, or ghosts of myth, are said to dwell.
08:01Number 10. Borneo Lowland Rainforest.
08:04The Borneo Lowland Rainforest, sprawling across the vast island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, is one of the most biodiverse
08:11significant regions on Earth. It also just happens to be one of the most amazing forests on the planet.
08:16Covering over a hundred and sixty thousand square miles, this eco-region forms the heart of Borneo's natural landscape.
08:23But despite that richness, the lowland rainforests face severe threats from deforestation, logging, and land conversion,
08:29making their conservation a global priority.
08:32The stable tropical climate here, characterized by consistent rainfall and minimal temperature variation, creates an ideal habitat for approximately
08:4015,000 plant species, including up to 260 species of dipterocarps. These towering trees, some reaching heights of up to 280 feet,
08:49dominate the forest canopy and form the backbone of this ecosystem.
08:52The understory is equally as rich, filled with shade-tolerant trees, lianas, and orchids.
08:59Species are commonly found here, with fascinating adaptations such as
09:03cauliflory, where flowers and fruits grow directly on tree trunks. The forest floor, too, is home to the world's largest flower,
09:10Rafflesia Arnoldii, which can reach over three feet in diameter and is known for its powerful odor.
09:16Borneo's animals are just as diverse, hosting a wide array of species, ranging from the smallest squirrel, the least pygmy squirrel, and the largest
09:23land mammal in Asia, the Asia elephant.
09:25This ecoregion is particularly notable for its primate diversity, too, including the critically endangered Bornean orangutan,
09:32Muller's Bornean gibbon, and the elusive proboscis monkey.
09:36Carnivores like the endangered Bornean cloud leopard and the sun bear also roam the forests, while hornbills,
09:43woodpeckers, and pitas add to the rich avian diversity.
09:46However, the region's ecological wealth is under severe threat. Logging and the conversion of forests into palm oil
09:52plantations have led to extensive deforestation, with more than half of Borneo's rainforests lost in the past 50 years.
09:59Large-scale forest fires, too, in the 1980s and 90s further devastated the landscape,
10:04exacerbating the loss of habitat for countless species.
10:08Number nine, Sagano Bamboo Forest.
10:12Kyoto's Sagano Bamboo Forest shows off a mesmerizing blend of visual and auditory beauty.
10:18This natural sanctuary, just a short drive from Kyoto city center, has become a symbol of serenity and a must-visit destination,
10:26drawing visitors from around the world.
10:27It is renowned for its dense thickets of bamboo, with stalks that soar dozens of feet into the sky,
10:34forming a natural canopy that filters sunlight into delicate slanted beams.
10:38These towering green pillars create a unique atmosphere where the line between the natural world and the mystical seems to blur.
10:46But what sets it apart is not just its beauty,
10:49but also the sounds it produces.
10:51Bamboo groves are alive with the creaking of stalks, the rustling of leaves, and the soft knocking of trunks swaying in the wind.
10:59These sounds, recognized by Japan's Ministry of the Environment as one of the country's 100 soundscapes of Japan, offer a rare auditory
11:07experience that's both calming and otherworldly. The rustling and creaking create a natural symphony
11:13that's best appreciated in moments of quiet, away from the bustling crowds.
11:18During these quieter times, the full impact of the forest's auditory and visual beauty can be felt,
11:24offering a meditative experience that lingers long after leaving.
11:27Despite its serene appearance though, the Sagano bamboo forest is far from a hidden gem.
11:32It regularly features on lists of the most beautiful forests in the world, and is a staple in travel guides.
11:38The increase in global tourism, particularly in Japan, has brought more visitors to this once tranquil spot, making it a huge attraction.
11:46However, the charm of this forest will endure, with many visitors returning time and time again to experience this unique ambience.
11:54Number 8. Olympic National Forest.
11:58Olympic National Forest is a massively diverse landscape in Washington State in the United States.
12:04Covering over 620,000 acres, this forest is a natural haven that showcases everything from temperate rainforests to
12:11alpine peaks and saltwater fjords. The forest's varying ecosystems are shaped by the area's high levels of precipitation,
12:18which average around 220 inches annually.
12:21This abundant rainfall feeds numerous streams, and supports the dense growth of vegetation that defines the region's rainforests.
12:29Among the most iconic features of the forest is characterized by towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock,
12:35draped with mosses and ferns, creating a primeval atmosphere.
12:40The forest's old growth areas, estimated to cover over 260,000 acres, are home to a diverse array of wildlife.
12:47The animals here include species adapted to this unique environment, such as the Roosevelt elk,
12:51which can often be seen grazing in the Ho-Rain forest, and the Olympic marmot, which thrives in the alpine meadows of Hurricane Ridge.
12:59One of the forest's most remarkable features, though, is its soundscape, particularly the one-square-inch-of-silence project.
13:06This tiny spot, located deep within the Ho-Rain forest, is celebrated as the quietest place in the United States.
13:12Established by acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton, the one-square-inch-of-silence is a sanctuary designed to protect
13:19natural sounds from the intrusion of human-made noise. In a world increasingly dominated by the hum of machinery and the buzz of
13:27electronics, this initiative highlights the importance of preserving natural silence for both people and wildlife.
13:33Now, this project isn't just about quietness, but about the quality of sound in the natural environment. In this small,
13:40unassuming spot, visitors can experience the profound difference between natural sounds, such as the gentle trickle of rain or the buzz of insects, and
13:49the disruptive noises of human activity. The absence of human noise allows the forest's natural
13:54soundscape to emerge in its full richness, offering a rare and precious opportunity to experience nature in its purest form.
14:04Moving on to number seven, Sundarbans. In India,
14:08the Sundarbans National Park forms the core of this vast delta,
14:12protecting some of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its dense mangrove forests, the
14:20elusive Bengal tiger, and a unique interplay of land and water that has shaped one of the world's most complex ecosystems.
14:27The tidal influences here are so profound that the entire area is
14:31submerged twice daily, a process that nourishes the mangroves and supports a unique array of plants and animals.
14:37Now, the mangroves here are not just any trees, they're specialized plants adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of salt water,
14:44shifting tides and waterlogged soils. The Sundari tree, after which the Sundarbans is named, is one of the most notable species, with its
14:52distinctive pneumatophores, the roots that rise above the ground to facilitate breathing in the oxygen-poor environment.
14:58This dense mangrove cover serves as a critical buffer against storms, cyclones, and protecting inland areas.
15:05The Bengal tiger is the park's most famous resident, known for its elusive nature and
15:10occasionally for its man-eating tendencies.
15:13These tigers have adapted to their swampy environment, learning to swim and navigate the maze of waterways that crisscross the forest.
15:20Other endangered species, such as the saltwater crocodile, the Ganges River dolphin, and Olive Ridley turtle, also find refuge here.
15:28But one of the most intriguing features here is the Swatch of No Ground, a mysterious underwater canyon in the Bay of Bengal.
15:35Here, the seabed drops suddenly from 65 feet to over
15:391,600 feet, creating a unique marine habitat that supports a diverse array of cetaceans, including bride's whales and Irrawaddy dolphins.
15:47This area, proposed as the Sundarbans Cetacean Diversity Protected Area,
15:51highlights the biodiversity here that complements the park's terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.
15:58Number 6. Lankenden Jungle.
16:01The Lankenden Jungle spans the southeastern region of Chiapas, Mexico, extending into Guatemala and the southern Yucatan Peninsula.
16:09Despite challenges here, from deforestation and development, the jungle here remains of ecological and historical sanctuary,
16:16offering a glimpse into both the natural world and the cultural heritage of the Mayan civilization.
16:20It encompasses approximately 4.6 million acres, and it's one of Mexico's largest remaining tracts of tropical rainforest,
16:27home to over 1,500 species of trees and 33% of all Mexican bird species.
16:33The jungle is also a refuge for 25% of the country's animals, including many that are endangered, such as the jaguar, the red macaw, and spider monkey.
16:42This extraordinary biodiversity has earned this jungle its status as a biodiversity hotspot,
16:48making it one of the most critical ecosystems in Central America.
16:51The Usumacinta River, which separates the Mexican and Guatemalan portions of the jungle, is the largest river in Mexico by water volume.
16:59This river, along with countless smaller streams and rivers, forms the lifeblood of the jungle,
17:04nourishing its dense vegetation and providing habitats for its aquatic species.
17:08The Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, which covers 700,000 acres,
17:13represents the best conserved portion of the jungle, preserving much of the rainforest in its natural state.
17:18It's also home to some of Mexico's most significant Mayan archaeological sites.
17:23These sites offer windows into the ancient civilizations that once thrived here,
17:27with well-preserved temples, sculptures, and other structures that speak to the advanced skills of the Mayans.
17:33Palenque, situated on the edge of the Lacanda, is particularly renowned for its intricate carvings and architecture,
17:39including the Temple of Inscriptions, which houses the tomb of a prominent Mayan ruler.
17:44Number 5. The Redwood Forest.
17:47The Redwood Forest, with its towering trees and amazing ecosystems, is one of the most gorgeous landscapes in the United States,
17:54maybe even the world. The Redwood Forest originally covered more than 2 million acres of the Californian coast,
18:00but extensive logging and land development reduced its extent significantly.
18:05The tallest trees in the Redwood Forest are the coastal redwoods, with Hyperion,
18:10discovered in 2006, holding the record as the tallest living tree at 380 feet.
18:14These ancient giants can live for over 500 years, with some individuals reaching up to 2,000 years old.
18:21This forest is home to a wide array of plant and animal species.
18:25The forest comprises several distinct ecosystems, including the seacoast, riverine, prairie, and dense forest zones.
18:32These varying environments create habitats for about 66 species of land mammals, such as the black bear, cougar, and Roosevelt elk.
18:40The latter of which have been successfully reintroduced to the region.
18:43The park also hosts numerous bat species and smaller mammals like minks, martens, and squirrels, everything a fairy tale forest needs.
18:51Marine mammals, including California sea lions and stellar sea lions, inhabit the coastal areas,
18:56and various bird species, from sea pelicans to inland hawks, thrive within the park's boundaries.
19:02The foggy, humid climate of this forest contributes to that mystical atmosphere,
19:07with fog often draping the forest floor and enhancing the towering majesty of the trees.
19:13Key attractions within the park include the famous Hyperion tree and other towering redwoods,
19:18which are all accessible via well-maintained trails.
19:21The forest also features the striking Fern Canyon, a lush, fern-covered gorge that's been used as a filming location for various movies.
19:29Also, the redwood forest is situated in a seismically active region,
19:32with frequent minor earthquakes and occasional larger ones affecting the area.
19:36But one of the most unique features here is the fire resistance of coastal redwoods.
19:41Their thick bark, sometimes up to a foot thick, provides protection against fire, and the trees are known to regenerate after burning.
19:48While fires in the forest are rare, and typically caused by humans,
19:52they do play a role in the ecosystem by clearing undergrowth and promoting new growth.
19:58Number 4. The Black Forest
20:01The Black Forest, known in German as the Schwarzwald,
20:04is a vast, enchanting, and potentially haunted forested mountain range located in southwestern Germany.
20:11Stretching across the state of Baden-Württemberg, it's a region marked by stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and history.
20:18The Black Forest covers an area of about 2,300 square miles,
20:21with its highest peak, Feldberg, reaching an elevation of over 4,800 feet.
20:26This forest extends roughly for a hundred miles in length, and up to about 30 miles in width.
20:31It is well known for its role in both historical and modern contexts.
20:35Historically, the area was known for forestry and ore mining, which significantly shaped the environment here.
20:41Today, tourism has become the primary industry, providing around 300,000 jobs and drawing visitors with landscapes and outdoor activities.
20:49The region is protected under various designations, including the Southern Black Forest Nature Park,
20:54the Central-slash-North Black Forest Nature Park, and the Black Forest National Park.
20:59These areas aim to preserve the natural and cultural heritage here in the forest,
21:04and the Southern Black Forest Nature Park, established in 1999, is Germany's largest nature park,
21:09encompassing nearly 1 million acres.
21:12Visitors here to the Black Forest can enjoy a range of activities and experiences,
21:16from exploring dense woodlands and scenic trails, to discovering historical sites and unique plants and animals.
21:22The forest has highland areas, river valleys, and rolling hills, each offering different natural attractions.
21:29There's also glacial geomorphology, resulting from the Riesse and Wurm glaciations,
21:34and it shaped rugged terrain here and created these amazing landscapes.
21:38It's also home to a variety of rare and unique species, too.
21:41The Black Forest cattle, a rare breed of Hinterwalder cattle here, are among the notable fauna.
21:47A giant earthworm, Lumbricus badensis, is found only in this region,
21:51and the Black Forest horse, an endangered draft horse breed, add to the distinct wildlife found here.
21:57The forest's climate is characterized by lower temperatures and higher rainfall compared to the surrounding areas.
22:02These highlands experience regular rainfall throughout the year, with the wettest regions around Hunsengrinde and Belschen.
22:09This climate, combined with frequent light winds and cloud cover,
22:12creates a unique environment that supports an amazing array of plant and animal life.
22:22The Great Otway National Park, located in Victoria, Australia,
22:25is a captivating natural haven known for its landscapes, rich history, and ecological significance.
22:31It covers approximately 250,000 acres, and it's located about 100 miles southwest of Melbourne, within the scenic Otway Ranges.
22:38Now, this park encompasses a broad range of landscapes,
22:41from lush rainforests and tall eucalyptus forests to rugged coastlines and serene beaches.
22:47Historically, the Otway Ranges experienced extensive commercial logging starting in the 1880s,
22:52and that activity peaked in 1961, leading to significant deforestation and land degradation.
22:58However, conservation efforts have since focused on restoring the region's ecology.
23:03The park was officially declared in 2004, combining several existing reserves and state parks into a single protected area.
23:10This national park offers a range of experiences for nature enthusiasts and tourists.
23:15The park features three main camping areas, providing opportunities for camping amidst these amazing natural surroundings.
23:21One of the park's unique attractions is its glowworms,
23:24bioluminescent larvae of fungus gnats that create these enchanting displays of light along stream banks and walking tracks.
23:32The park is also known for its significant koala population, which can be observed around the Eyre River Campground.
23:38Additionally, the park's coastline provides opportunities for spotting migrating whales,
23:43such as southern right and southern humpback whales, as well as bottlenose dolphins.
23:47The park also hosts over 270 documented fungal species, including the ruby bonnet, ghost fungus, and flame fungus.
23:56These fungi contribute to the ecological health of the park by decomposing organic matter
24:00and supporting plant growth through mycorrhizal associations.
24:05Number two, the Great Bear Rainforest.
24:08Canada's Great Bear Rainforest is a sprawling, untouched wilderness
24:12that stands as one of the last and largest tracts of intact coastal temperate rainforest on Earth.
24:18Covering approximately 15.8 million acres, the rainforest stretches about 250 miles
24:24from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to just south of Alaska.
24:28This area, larger than the state of West Virginia, is renowned for its ecosystems and incredible wildlife.
24:35It is a Pacific temperate rainforest ecoregion, the largest coastal temperate rainforest in the world.
24:41This biome is characterized by blush, dense vegetation with towering trees and high levels of precipitation.
24:47Among its notable residents are the rare komode bear, known as the spirit bear.
24:52The white-coated subspecies of the black bear, due to a recessive gene, is a unique feature of the region.
24:58These spirit bears are elusive and highly regarded in First Nations cultures,
25:03where they are considered to possess supernatural abilities.
25:06The Great Bear Rainforest is not only a terrestrial haven, but it also includes the Great Bear Sea,
25:12which has some of the world's largest kelp forests.
25:15Bull kelp, one of the fastest growing aquatic plants, can reach up to 120 feet in length
25:20and grows up to three feet in a single day.
25:23The coastal waters here are a hotspot for whale activity.
25:27Humpback whales, once thought to be extinct in the region due to overhunting,
25:30have made a remarkable comeback.
25:32From a mere 42 individuals in 2006, their numbers have surged to over 400 by 2014.
25:40One of the park's most intriguing features is a dynamic relationship with salmon.
25:44Pacific salmon, including coho, chinook, chum, sockeye, and pink varieties,
25:49migrate to the rainforest streams each year to spawn.
25:53This influx supports a wide array of predators from bears and eagles to seals and sea lions.
25:59The salmon contribute essential nutrients to the ecosystem here,
26:03which are cycled through the food web as animals consume and transport the fish.
26:07The name Great Bear Rainforest reflects both the ecological grandeur
26:12and the iconic bear species that inhabit the region.
26:14The Great Bear moniker underscores the vastness of this forest
26:18and its importance as a critical habitat.
26:20It's a symbol of the region's unique natural heritage.
26:23This term encapsulates the rainforest's role as a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures,
26:29and it emphasizes its status as a crucial area for conservation.
26:34Number 1. Monteverde Cloud Forest
26:37The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, located in Costa Rica,
26:41is one of the most spectacular examples of a cloud forest in the world.
26:45Spanning about 26,000 acres, this reserve is a sanctuary of biodiversity and natural wonders.
26:52It was established in 1972, and it was founded by a group of Quakers
26:56seeking refuge from the Korean War and a peaceful life in a country
27:00that had recently abolished its army.
27:02They named the reserve Monteverde, which means green mountain in Spanish,
27:07reflecting the lush, evergreen nature of the landscape.
27:10But what is a cloud forest?
27:12Well, it's a unique type of tropical rainforest characterized by persistent,
27:16low-level cloud cover that creates a misty, mystical environment.
27:20This climate creates ideal conditions for a diverse range of plant and animal species,
27:24many of which are especially adapted to the unique conditions of a cloud forest.
27:29Now this cloud forest reserve encompasses six distinct ecological zones,
27:34with 90% of the area covered in virgin forest.
27:37This reserve is home to over 2,500 plant species,
27:40including the highest concentrations of orchid species found anywhere in the world.
27:45Over 500, with 34 species newly discovered within the reserve itself.
27:50It has 100 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 120 reptilian and amphibian species.
27:56And notably, it was once home to the now-extinct golden toad, which disappeared in 1989.
28:02Monteverde is celebrated for its captivating atmosphere.
28:06Its foggy conditions create this surreal, otherworldly environment that enchants visitors.
28:12Hikers can explore lush trails, often shrouded in mist,
28:15with the best chances of spotting wildlife through guided tours.
28:19The reserve has seen significant growth in tourism since the 1980s,
28:22with around 250,000 visitors annually.
28:25The forest's appeal lies here in its mysterious fog,
28:28diverse plants and animals, and the opportunity to experience
28:31one of the most pristine and biologically rich ecosystems in the world.
28:36The unique climate here and the high biodiversity
28:38make Monteverde a critical area for scientific research and conservation efforts.
28:44Thanks for watching, everybody. I'll see you next time.
28:47Thank you to our channel members.