Layers of the Rainforest

There are four layers to the rainforest. Each layer has its own set of environmental conditions. Each layer also has its own set of animals, plants, and insects that live there. This slide show lets you explore and learn about each level. Then, to test your knowledge, you can take the practice quiz at the end. As you go through the slide show, check out the web links to learn more about rainforest layers.

Emergent Layer Canopy Layer Understory Layer Forest Floor

The Emergent Layer The tallest trees are the emergents, towering as much as 200 feet above the forest floor with trunks that measure up to 16 feet around.  Most of these trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here.  They are exposed to the greatest amount of wind and rain. Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats, snakes, and butterflies.

The Canopy Layer This is the primary layer of the forest and forms a roof over the two remaining layers.   Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. Many animals live in this area since there is a lot of food such as flowers and fruits.   Those animals include: monkeys, snakes, toucans, bats, ants, parrots, hummingbirds, and treefrogs.

The Understory Layer Little sunshine reaches this area so the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight. The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet.  There are some flowers and fruits that grow on the trunks of the trees. Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed treefrogs, snakes, parakeets, and leopards.  There is the largest concentration of insects here.

The Forest Floor It's very dark down here.  Almost no plants grow in this area.  Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly. This causes the forest floor to be made up of organic litter. Giant anteaters live in this layer. Insects, including termites, cockroaches, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions and earthworms, along with the fungi, use the organic litter as a source of food.

Other Web Sites Check out these other sites to learn more about the layers of the rainforest. ABCTeach – Layers of the Rainforest Tropical Rainforest Layers

Now that you have learned about the four layers of the rainforest, you can test your knowledge. Check out the coloring worksheet and the quiz. Worksheet – Print off this worksheet. After you label the layers of the rainforest, feel free to color. The answers are provided at the end of the worksheet. Quiz – Take this 4 question quiz about the layers of the rainforest. The answers are provided at the end of the quiz.

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