Layers of the Rainforest

Animals & Their Environment2016

Four “basic” layers of the rainforest• The rainforest has 4 basic layers• Plants and animal have adapted to the various layers• Each layer has a “MICROCLIMATE”

What is a MICROCLIMATE?• First – let’s define “CLIMATE”•Weather conditions, typically over a long period of

time•Rain, winds, temperature, humidity, etc.

•Microclimate is a smaller climate. •May exist in just a tiny area (side of a building)•Warmer/cooler, wetter/dryer, sunny/shady

Four layers of the rainforest

Let’s investigate each layer and it’s microclimate

EMERGENT LAYER• Also called the “overstory”• Trees that top the canopy• Can reach heights of 210’• FULL sun• Drier environment with higher

winds• Birds of prey depend on this

layer

Emergent Layer • Animals and birds that live up here are very light weight• Climate conditions are variable and change often• Diameter of trees that grow into this layer can be 16’• Hummingbirds and butterflies are prevalent in this layer• The Macaw nests in holes in the trunks of these trees• Sloths and spider monkeys live up in this layer

Canopy Layer• Contains the majority of the

trees of the rainforest• Light is abundant (on top)• Trees adapted to intense

sunlight• Drip Tip – funnels rain water off

the leaf down to the forest below

Canopy • 80% of the sunlight is absorbed by this layer• Most of the rainfall is absorbed by this layer, the floor gets what drips

off• Food is plentiful for animals in this layer• Many animals use this layer as shelter from predators• Animals fly, jump, hop, and glide to move through this layer• Microclimates change depending on the part of the layer• Topmost – hot, dry, sunny, windy• Lower – cooler, more humid, less sunlight, less wind

Understory• Contains short trees, young

trees, shrubs, and the trunks of the canopy and emergent trees• Limited sunlight• Dense shade is common under

the canopy

Understory• Receives less than 5% of the sunlight coming into the forest• Little or no wind, very hot and humid as moisture is “trapped”• Leaves of the plants are dark, and large to absorb more sunlight• Growth not as thick, or dense, as upper layers as insufficient light to support

growth• Insects, especially mosquitoes, enjoy this dark, humid environment – prey of

birds and geckos• Common animals are bats, monkeys, jaguars, snakes, lizards, frogs• Camouflage is the key adaptation of species in this layer (both predator and

prey)• Competition for food is fierce at this level

The Forest Floor• Includes the rivers and streams

of the forest• Less than 2% of the light ever

reaches the forest floor• Very little vegetation• Filled with decaying plant and

animal matter• Fungus and moss are common

Forest Floor• Dark and humid (95% humidity is not uncommon)• Only rainwater to reach the floor comes from the tree trunks dripping down• Very little vegetation, seeds lie dormant until an opening in the canopy

appears (tree dies)• Largest animals live on the forest floor, mainly carnivores and herbivores• Jungle cats, rainforest pigs (warthogs, wild boar), reptiles, insects• Army ants – will eat anything they come in contact with - even humans!• Fish and other aquatic species in the rivers, lakes, and streams

Life in the rainforest• Insects make up the majority of animals that live in tropical

forests• All animals make adaptations to survive in the rainforest• Color – to blend in or stand out• Patterns – to blend in and hide• Vocalizations – typically loud to communicate• Diets – adapt to the level they live in – fruits, insects, prey

species available