Layers of the Rain Forest
A rain forest grows in layer. From top to bottom, the four main layers of a rain forest are the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory and the forest floor.
The emergent layer is the highest and consist of very tall tress that emerge, or rise, high above most of the other treetops.
Their branches stretch more than 100 feet (30 m) wide.
The canopy lies below the emergent trees. The upper canopy may be 100 to 130 feet(30 to 40 m) above the ground.
The lower canopy is 75 to 100 feet (23 to 30 m) high. The canopy forms a dense ceiling of leaves and tangled tree branches.
It contains more than 70 percent of a rain forest’s plant and animal life.
Epiphytes cover may canopy trees. Epiphyte are plants that live in other plants. They get food and water from air and rain. Epiphytes help the trees they live on.
When they die and decay, their host plants absorb their nutrients.
Layers of the Rain Forest
