Is the laurisylva of the Azores a fossil forest?

🌲 Exploring the Laurisilva: A Forest "Fossil" with Millennia of Origins in the Azores! 🌿

Welcome to this captivating exploration of the Laurisilva, a unique forest in Macaronesia, described as a "fossil" because of its ancient origins dating back more than 25 million years.

🌍 Ancient history of Laurisilva:

Laurisilva, which once covered the entire Mediterranean basin, declined during the Quaternary as a result of glaciation, surviving only in the archipelago of the Macaronesian region, including the Azores.

🌿 Relic of a Palaeotropical Forest :

Laurisilva, now found in the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, is a relic of a palaeotropical forest that has adapted to the island environment, demonstrating an exceptional evolutionary and ecological singularity.

🌱 Emblematic Plant Species :

The video explores specific plant species of the Laurisilva, such as Laurus azorica (Azores laurel), Juniperus brevifolia (juniper) and Ilex perado azorica (Azores holly), highlighting their crucial role in the ecosystem.

🌲 An Ecosystem of Extreme Singularity:

The ecological uniqueness of Laurisilva is underlined, with high humidity, cool temperatures and structural complexity creating biodiversity-friendly microhabitats that support thriving biodiversity.

In this video, you can find out more about:

00:57 - History of the Laurisilva

04:28 - A touch of botany

09:36 - An ecologically unique forest