Download Explore the layers,plants and animals for task#1

The Layers of the Rainforest
By Linn Kissinger
Emergent Layer
 The
tallest trees, towering as much as
200 feet above the forest floor. Animals
found are eagles, monkeys, bats and
butterflies.
Canopy Layer
 This
is the primary layer of the forest
and forms a roof over the two remaining
layers. Many animals live in this area
since food is abundant. Those animals
include: snakes, toucans and treefrogs.
Understory Layer

The plants in this area seldom grow to 12
feet. Many animals live here including
jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and
leopards. There is a large concentration of
insects here.
Forest Floor

It's very dark down here. Almost no plants
grow in this area, as a result. Since hardly
any sun reaches the forest floor things begin
to decay quickly. A leaf that might take one
year to decompose in a regular climate will
disappear in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live
in this layer.
Macaws

Macaws are very social and
intelligent animals. They can be
found in Central and South
America in the canopy and
emergent layers of the
rainforest. They like to nest in
holes in trees. Macaws are on
the endangered species list
because their numbers are
declining due to rainforest
destruction and people
capturing them for pets.
Sloths

Sloths are extremely slowmoving mammals found in
the rainforest canopies of
Central and South America.
There are two species of
sloths:two-toed and threetoed. Most sloths are about
the size of a small dog and
they have short, flat flat
heads. Their hair is grayish
brown but, at times they look
grey-green in color because
they move so slowly that tiny
camouflaging algae grow all
over their coats.
Toucans

Toucans are found in South
and Central America in the
canopy layer of the
rainforest. When they sleep,
they turn their heads around
and tuck their bills under
their wings and tail. The
toucan is very important to
the rainforest because they
help to disperse seeds from
the fruits and berries they
eat.
Bromeliads

Bromeliads are related to the
pineapple family. Their thick, waxy
leaves form a bowl shape in the
center for catching rainwater. Some
bromeliads can hold several gallons
of water and are miniature
ecosystems in themselves providing
homes for several creatures
including frogs and their tadpoles,
salamanders, snails, beetles and
mosquito larvae. Those that die
decompose and furnish the plant
with nutrients. One bromeliad was
found to contain several small
beetles, crane flies, earwigs, a frog,
a cockroach, spiders, fly larvae, a
millipede, a scorpion, woodlice and
an earthworm!
Vines


Ninety per cent of the world's vine
species grow in tropical rainforests.
Lianas are a type of climbing vine
found throughout tropical
rainforests. They have thick, woody
stems and come in various lengths
(up to 3,000 ft) and varying shapes.
They begin life on the forest floor
but depend on trees for support as
they climb upwards towards the
sunlight they need for survival.
They do this by attaching
themselves to trees with sucker
roots or tendrils and growing with
the young sapling, or they climb by
winding themselves round the tree's
trunk.
When they reach the top of the
canopy they often spread to other
trees or wrap themselves around
other lianas.
The rainforest has many special
animals and plants. What can
you do to save the rainforest?