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Through spring, the Hengduan slope stays one of China's natural spectacles. The forests here are among the most diverse botanical areas in the world. Over 18,000 plant species grow here, of which 3,000 are found nowhere else. Until a little more than a century ago, this place was unkown outside of China. But then news reached the West of the mysterious hidden world of the Orient, hidden among the mountains, a lost Shangri-La paradise. Western high society in the grip of gardening craze was eager for exotic species from faraway places. This gave rise to a new breed of celebrity adventures, intrepid botanist explorers known as the plant hunters. Yunnan became the holy grail. The most famous was Joseph Rock, a real life Indiana Jones. Remarkable film footage captured his * on a series of expeditions as they pushed into the deepest corners of Yunnan. In glorious color he recorded the plant life he found on the special photographic glass plates. Sending thousands of specimens back to the West, the plant hunters changed the gardens of the world forever. Rock's success was born of a massive effort. For to find his Shangri-La not only had he to traverse endless mountain ranges but some of the deepest gorges of the world.9 \3 }) O! @% v
The Nu JIang is called the Angry River. This 300-kilometer-stretch of raging rapids is as much a barrier to life as are the mountains above. But the plant hunters were not the first people to travel here. Along the Nu Jiang, less than 30 rope crossings allow locals passage across the torrents. Tiny hamlets cling to the slopes. This morning is market day, drawing people from up and down the valley. Hanging from single *, people have been using the crossings for many hundred of years. In such narrow * gorges, it's by far the easiest way to get around. Once across, the steep sides mean that there is still a hike. Many trek for hours by foot before they get to the market. The immense valley is home to over a dozen ethnic groups. some, like the Nu people, are found only here. The markets bring the mountain tribes together. To continue his expeditions, Rock had to get his * across the giant Yunnan rivers. He commissioned the specially thick ropes made from forest * and filmed the entire event. With * butter to smooth the ride, 40 men and 50 mules made the journey. Not all made it across.( H7 Q. Y/ v% @4 H f) a7 X
On the far side of the great Nu Jiang gorge, the plant hunters made a remarkable discovery. Far from the tropics, they seemed to be entering a steamy, vibrant tropical jungle, the forest of Gaoligongshan. The flora here is unlike anywhere else in the world. Next to subtropical species, alpine plants grow in giant form, * the canopy ** up to 30 meters high. In April and May their flowers turn into forests ruby red, attracting bird species found only here. Constant moisture in the air means that the branches are laid with flowing epifies, fiercely guarded by tiny sunbirds unique to these valleys. Nectar feeders, these are the humming birds of the old world tropics. The forests of Gaoligongshan are home to some of China's rarest wildlife.
5 z9 [& v: `! T# YThis is a female **, she has a colorful male admirer. He is hoping to woo her with his peculiar peekaboo display, but she is not about to be rushed. His colorful skin * reflects more light than feathers do. To her this is like ** sign. Seeing his chance, the male makes his move. Constant moisture in the Gaoligongshan forest means that throughout the year there are always fruits on the trees. such abundance of fruits encourage a high diversity of fruit eaters more commonly found in the tropics. The black giant squirrel in undisturbed rain forest, up close to a meter in length, is one of the world's largest squirrels. The mystery is that these forests are growing well outside the tropics. By rights, none of this jungle or its animals should be here. |
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发表于 2008-7-24 14:05
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