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5 Episodes 2012 - 2015
Episode 1
52 mins
Japan is an 6852 islands archipelago situated where three tectonic plates meet, causing major seismic and volcanic activity. Their climates varying from the subtropical mangroves on Okinawa to the Siberian conditions at the sea of Ochotsk. The wildlife is accordingly diverse, with a record number of unique, well-adapted native species and migratory guests like the Siberian swan. Versatile monkeys especially fascinate scientists.
Episode 2
52 mins
Some small or larger islands in rivers of the Amazon system are flooded annually for months. While birds can just keep flying, for most of wildlife everything changes, as the lush forest habitat drowns to become a wetland or back. Several species adapted thoroughly, sometimes even into a specialized subspecies.
Episode 3
52 mins
Vancouver Island, along Canada's southern West coast, has the richest Pacific wildlife, thinks to the ideal fishing grounds for salmon, who produce abundant eggs in its many rivers and lakes, the tiny surviving percentage reaching the ocean trying to return there, spawn and die five years later. They cater for many predators, from egg-eating birds to vultures, eagles and black bears, and even fertilize the trees enough to grow thrice as fast. Seals, giant octopuses and orca (killer whales) are among the marine predators enjoying the abundant seafood.
Episode 4
52 mins
The Philippines, a multiple chain of over 7000 -mainly small or tiny, men being concentrated on a few large ones- islands, have a combined coast length among the world's largest, like neighbor Indonesia. The wildlife is accordingly rich and diverse, with a number of rare or unique, well-adapted native species and migratory guests like water monitors.
Episode 5
52 mins
The Falklands are 300 miles east of Patagonia in the bleak South Atlantic. Tthe largest plants growing there are wind-resistant shrubs. The native animal population includes penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses.