哥斯达黎加云雾林的生态奇观与保护
High in the Tilarán Mountains of Costa Rica lies Monteverde, a cloud forest where mist rolls in almost daily, wrapping ancient trees in a damp embrace. This ecosystem, often called a 'living sky,' depends on persistent low clouds that drip moisture onto every leaf and branch. At 1,500 meters elevation, the forest is home to an astonishing density of life: a single oak tree can host over 200 species of moss, lichen and orchid.
But these misty canopies are under threat. Climate change is causing the cloud base to rise, reducing the fog that sustains the forest. During drier periods, the characteristic mist disappears for days, stressing the unique plants and animals. Scientists have observed a decline in populations of resplendent quetzals and tree frogs that rely on constant humidity. Even the famous Monteverde golden toad vanished in the late 1980s, a chilling early warning.
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