Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest (also Hoh Rain Forest or Hoh National Rainforest called ) is located on the Olympic Peninsula to the west of the state of Washington, which is located in the northwestern United States. He is one of the few temperate rain forests in the country and part of the Olympic National Park. Within the national park are up 39 sq km of forests in the lower areas between 130 and 800 m altitude protected, located at the Hoh River. Between the park boundary and the Pacific, the forest was completely deforested in the 20th century, however.

The name goes back to the Hoh, an American Indian tribe living there, which is closely related to the Quileute. In 2000, there were 102 of them in reserve, of which 81 were recognized as Native Americans.

Rainfall is very strong, so that the year to come together about 3600-4200 mm. The heavy flooding between fall and spring often cause severe erosion and the river moved his bed.

The predominant tree species are Sitka spruce and Tsuga heterophylla ( Western Hemlock ), in the German language better known as Western Hemlock. The latter reach the park heights up to 95 m. In addition, Douglas find giant tree of life, but also Oregon maple, vine leaf maple, red or Oregon alder and Western balsam poplar are represented.

The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina ), the northern subspecies of the spotted owl, which lives only in the huge trees, here at home, as well as washing and black bears, Roosevelt elk and mule deer, and cougar.

A ranger station of the National Park Service is responsible for the protection and preservation of the rainforest.