Tropical Rainforests in Europe: Two Tiny Remnants

Europe's Surviving Tropical Rainforest Patches

Yes, but barely. Two small relict tropical rainforests exist in Europe:

1. Colchis Rainforest (Western Georgia)

• Located in the Colchis lowlands along the Black Sea coast (e.g., Mtirala National Park, Kintrishi Protected Areas).
• Warm, humid, high rainfall (~2,500–4,000 mm/yr) due to orographic lift.
• Tertiary relict flora: evergreen broadleaf trees (rhododendron, cherry laurel), lianas, epiphytes.
• Endemic species: Caucasian salamander, Pontic rhododendron.

2. Laurisilva of Madeira (Portugal)

• Atlantic island of Madeira (autonomous region of Portugal).
• Laurel forest (laurisilva) – a subtropical cloud forest relict.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site (1999).
• Endemics: Madeira laurel pigeon, Madeiran wall lizard, numerous invertebrates.

Why So Small?

Europe's latitude and historic climate shifts (ice ages, aridification) eliminated most tropical forests. These pockets survived due to unique microclimates (coastal humidity, oceanic moderation).

They are not Amazon/Congo-scale but are scientifically priceless as living fossils of Europe's paleotropical past.