Layers of the Tropical Rainforest

• What are the four layers of the rainforest?

  • Emergent
  • Canopy
  • Understorey/shrub layer
  • Undergrowth/forest floor
• Describe the characteristics of the emergent layer.

  • 125ft/38m
  • Only the tallest trees reach this level.
  • Very sunny.
• What animals live in the emergent layer?

  Birds, butterflies, small monkeys, bats, snakes, bugs etc.
• Describe the characteristics of the canopy layer.

  • 95ft/29m
  • Most trees are this height.
  • Most of the rain is stopped by thick foliage.
  • Plants grow in this layer - their roots don't reach the ground.
• What animals live in the canopy layer?

  Birds, monkeys, frogs, sloths, lizards, snakes and many insects.
• Describe the characteristics of the understorey/shrub layer.

  • 55ft/17m
  • Dense vegetation.
  • Lots of vines.
  • Not much light.
• What animals live in the understorey/shrub layer?

  Birds, butterflies, frogs and snakes.
• Describe the characteristics of the undergrowth/forest floor.

  • 15ft/5m
  • Dark - the trees above block the sunlight (approximately 2% of the sunlight reaches the forest floor).
  • Damp.
  • Full of dead leaves, twigs and plants.
• What animals live in the undergrowth/on the forest floor?

  Jaguars - South America.

  Gorillas and leopards - Africa.

  Tapirs, tigers and elephants - Asia.