The Cloud Forest of Costa Rica
Bret Dudl About Monte Verde By Pauline Go
The cloud forest of Costa Rica is located in Monte Verde, and is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In fact, scientists and researchers from all over the world come to the forest to study this unique and beautiful ecosystem.
The cloud forest is a rainforest, but with a difference. It is situated at a high altitude in the midst of mountains and due to the elevation, the forest is always covered with clouds. Hence, the name. Because of the clouds, water droplets get deposited on the leaves of the trees, creating an ideal environment for the numerous plants and animals to thrive. In the higher reaches of the mountains, the cloud cover ensures that there is a constant drip of water and moisture on the trees and other plants.
The sight is just too amazing to miss out, especially when you see the clouds drifting through the trees. Due to the elevation, it can be a little chilly, but this has not stopped nature from thriving here.
The cloud forest of Costa Rica is home to more than 755 species of trees. According to biologists, there are some 358 species of ferns, some of which grow to amazing sizes that they can get mistaken for trees! There are around 40 to 50 different species of fruits trees making it an ideal environment for fruit-eating birds and animals to flourish.
The forest is home to 425 species of birds, 68 species of bats, 6 species of cats, foxes, sloths, armadillos, numerous amphibians and reptiles. Some of the animals, especially the birds do not live permanently in the forest. They come to forage and then fly away. However, many of the birds found in the forest are rare species.
Today, Monte Verde is the destination that all nature lovers head to because of the cloud forest. Truly, it is an amazing place — maybe heaven on earth!