合歡越嶺：合歡山生態之旅[DVD]

　　這是一部介紹台灣高山生態的影片，拍攝場景是在太魯閣國家公園境內的合歡山區，海拔高度在1,800-3,600公尺之間。 中橫公路是台灣唯一穿越台灣高山生態系的公路，公路最高點武嶺海拔高度3,275公尺，站在這個制高點上，往北可以看到中央尖山以及南湖大山，隔著濁水溪源頭，奇萊連峰聳立連綿；向南眺望，中央山脈層巒疊翠、視野遼闊；若是晴朗的好天氣，玉山群峰就羅列在遠處天際。合歡群峰的海拔平均都在3,600公尺上下，這裡不但是親山近水的好去處，更是探索臺灣高山生態最佳的場域。 影片以中橫公路為軸線，從霧林帶循序往高山介紹。 霧林帶不但擁有茂密高大的樹冠層，同時滿佈著各種苔蘚以及附生植物，能夠攔截大量的雨水和霧氣。這種濕潤、多層次的棲息環境不只動植物種類繁複、多樣，特有種比率也非常的高。 從大禹嶺往小風口的途中，左側可以看見一列壁立連綿的山峰，這就是名聞遐邇的奇萊連峰，包含奇萊主峰、奇萊北峰等超過三千公尺的高峰，是中央山脈最神秘奇險的一段。 整個合歡山區是立霧溪、大甲溪以及濁水溪的活水源頭，除了可以見識向源侵蝕以及河川襲奪的地質現象，更是喜歡爬山的朋友攀登百岳最理想的地點。 十二月中旬之後，高山植物的種子多數都已經散盡了，秋高氣爽的日子漸遠，氣溫一天天下降，如果有北方的強烈冷氣團南下，高山就有機會出現降雪。生活在高山的動植物透過長期的適應演化，早已獲得抵禦嚴寒環境的能力，雪既是季節的旨意，也是大地的禮物。 「在短距離或小區域內，擁有多樣的生態變化」是臺灣自然環境的一大特色。 海洋圍繞的島嶼環境，加上高山縱谷 微地形、氣候形成的屏障，不但阻隔了族群間的基因交流，也加速了種化的進行，合歡山區眾多的生態過程和生命現象正是「隔離演化」最佳的展示場所。

　　This is a documentary introducing Taiwan's high mountain ecology. It is filmed at the Hehuan Mountain area within the vicinity of Taroko National Park, between the altitudes of 1800 to 3600 meters. The Central Cross-Island Highway is the only highway in Taiwan that runs through alpine ecosystems. The highest point of the highway is at Wuling, at an altitude of 3,275 meters. Look northward, and you can see the Zhongyangjian Mountain and Nanhu Mountain. Cross over the Zhuoshui River, and you meet the rolling peaks of Qilai Mountains. To the south, the Central Mountain Range comes into sight over the broad horizon. On a sunny day, the Yushan Peaks can be seen clearly in the backdrop. The Hehuan Mountain Peaks have an average altitude of 3,600 meters. Not only is this area perfect for enjoying nature, it is also the best place to explore the ecosystems of the high mountains. The film follows the trail of the highway, advancing from the misty forests to the alpine terrains. A cloud forest usually features a dense and high-reaching canopy. Mosses and epiphytes grow in abundance here, helping to retain huge amounts of rainfall and moisture. The layered habitat, with its high moisture content, gives rise to a higher diversity of flora and fauna species; the number of endemic species can be high as well. Rows of mountain peaks appear on your left as you travel from Dayuling to Xiaofengkou. These are the prominent Qilai Mountain Peaks, which include the Main and North Peaks, both more than 3000 meters tall. The trails here are the most treacherous part of the Central Mountain Range. The Hehuan Mountain area is home to the Liwu River, Dajia River and the Zhuoshui River. Geologists find excellent examples of river capture and headward erosion here, while mountain hikers consider this place the perfect area for challenging peaks. By mid December, the high mountain plants would have dispersed most of their seeds. The cool and clear autumn slowly recedes, as the temperature plunges daily. Once the strong cold front from the north arrives, snow may occur in the high mountains. Of course the high mountain plants have evolved over time and have adapted to the harsh conditions of winter. Snow is not just inevitable; it is a gift of nature. Having a high degree of richness and diversity within a small area or a short distance is a special feature of Taiwan's natural environment. The Hehuan mountain area is the perfect showroom for allopatric speciation. Towering mountains, plunging valleys, the micro-topography and the climate all serve as barriers to genetic exchange, and promote speciation as well.