Unique blackwater in Thailand

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:01][music] >> Welcome to my new video about the unique ecosystem. Today we're exploring Thailand's only blackwater habitat with its fascinating underwater world.

[00:00:23]Beautiful orchids and everything else you could want.

[00:00:29]But how does a blackwater more form? The prerequisites are an excess of water from groundwater, pre-subrication for all springs, and an oxygen-poor environment. The process often begins with the silting up of a lake where reeds and other plants grow into the water. Plants die, sink into the water-saturated environment, and do not decompose completely due to [music] the lack of oxygen. These remains are deposited and form peat. Sphagnum mosses play a crucial role as they die at the bottom and continue to grow at the top, thus allowing the bog to expand.

[00:01:22]Here we are in the far south of Thailand.

[00:01:27]On our first visit, [music] we took a wrong turn at the entrance and ended up in a fantastic [music] greenhouse with orchids. These two were in bloom at the time.

[00:01:47]The underwater [music] inhabitant was funny. Snakeheads are often curious and swim [music] towards to the camera.

[00:02:12]After that, we [music] continued on the right path.

[00:02:15]I've been here twice now, and each time it's been very peaceful.

[00:02:21]Due to the [music] unrest in the south, there are hardly any visitors.

[00:02:27]The scenery [music] and the natural surroundings are wonderful.

[00:02:34]We spotted [music] the first betta pea from above.

[00:02:38]These are the largest bettas found in Thailand.

[00:02:45]We also saw [music] the first monkeys.

[00:02:49]The millipedes found in this forest are very large and numerous. [music] I've never seen anything this size anywhere [music] else in Thailand.

[00:02:59]They're about the length of an forearm.

[00:03:02]I'm not sure of their name.

[00:03:04]>> [music] >> Any ideas?

[00:03:13]Numerous [music] pitcher plants line the path. These are carnivorous plants. They produce [music] pitchers in which insects are trapped and decompose.

[00:03:25]>> [music] >> Peatlands are important carbon sinks that, despite their small area coverage, bind large amounts of CO2 and [music] are therefore very important for us humans.

[00:03:39]This path leads to a [music] large lake or open area. There you can discover incredibly [music] beautiful aquatic plants.

[00:03:57]The [music] Utricularia was in full bloom in March.

[00:04:22]I take a look underwater, which [music] isn't easy in blackwater and less than ideal lighting conditions. [music] There are a lots of Trichopsis here.

[00:04:44]They're also called croaking gouramis.

[00:04:47][music] Listen carefully. Here's why.

[00:05:04]These little guys make [music] incredible loud noises.

[00:05:10]Filming in blackwater [music] isn't easy, especially when you can't get in and can't see what you're filming.

[00:05:18]Nevertheless, [music] some species can be spotted.

[00:05:25]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Orchids are plentiful [music] here.

[00:06:43]But this Cymbidium illustrates the problem for [music] the observer.

[00:06:49]They are found high in the trees. The correct [music] entrance you will find a large collection of orchids mounted on branches. [music] I'll show you some of them here and of course the ones in bloom.

[00:07:06]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Right at the [music] entrance, you can also discover quite a bit underwater. A school of Trichopodus [music] was visible, including a Trichopodus leeri.

[00:09:14]>> [music] >> Onward we go.

[00:09:46]>> [music] >> Outside the research center, the peat swamp is also accessible from the [music] road. A troop of monkeys roams here, so you have to keep an eye on them and [music] watch them carefully.

[00:09:58]Otherwise, your equipment will be gone.

[00:10:09]As mentioned [music] before, this is my second time at this spot.

[00:10:13]Here you can see the water level [music] in January. It was extremely difficult with that much water and time ran out quickly because [music] it rained.

[00:10:30]This [music] exact the same spot in March with low water.

[00:10:34]Now you can [music] also spot frogs, plants, and mosses.

[00:10:39]You can even [music] see underwater.

[00:10:56]Unfortunately, >> [music] >> and also surprisingly, I spotted my first betta in the trash.

[00:11:03]The water [music] level is down to only 10 cm in some places.

[00:11:09]I also saw a betta with a black eye >> [music] >> caused by a bacterial infection, which unfortunately indicates contaminated water.

[00:11:23]There are still some young animals [music] to be seen here.

[00:11:46]>> [music] >> Do you see the snake? [music] >> [music] >> We'll drive a little further to the river [music] and explore it.

[00:12:30]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Sometimes it's [music] exciting. I filmed here for a while and there wasn't much to see. But then a few [music] species appeared in front of the camera and showed themselves.

[00:14:01]Probably thanks to some boys who were swimming downstream.

[00:14:14]After a few dips with the net, even more appeared. Fascinating.

[00:14:20]>> [music] >> Leeches. I absolutely hate them.

[00:14:46]Thanks for [music] your time and I hope to see you again soon. Don't forget to subscribe. Bye and good day.

[00:15:04]>> [music] [music] [music] [music]