1. Layers of the Rainforest

2. 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.

3. Emergent Layer
Canopy Layer
Understory Layer
Forest Floor

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. The End