The many habitats to be found in rainforests can be thought of as layers. In real forests, of course, these layers overlap each other a good deal.
Emergent Layer
These giant trees thrust above the dense canopy layer and have huge mushroom-shaped crowns. These trees enjoy the greatest amount of sunlight but also must endure high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.
The emergent layer consists of the tallest trees, with umbrella-like branches poking through the mass of leaves below. In this layer live free-flying birds and bats, including birds of prey.
Canopy Layer
The broad, irregular crowns of these trees form a tight, continuous canopy 60 to 90 feet above the ground. The branches are often densely covered with other plants (epiphytes) and tied together with vines (lianas). The canopy is home to 90% of the organisms found in the rain forest; many seeking the brighter light in the treetops.
The tree canopy consists of the leaves of mature trees. Their tops spread out to reach as much of the light as possible. As well as birds and fruit bats, monkeys and squirrels live in this layer, feeding on the fruits, nuts and leaves of the trees in the canopy.
Understory
Receiving only 2-15% of the sunlight that falls on the canopy, understory is a dark place. It is relatively open and contains young trees and leafy herbaceous plants that tolerate low light. Many popular house plants come from this layer. Only along rivers and roadways and in tree-fall and cut areas are sunlight sufficient to allow growth to become thick and impenetrable.
Very little light filters through the leaves of the canopy. In the mid-zone, creepers called lianas hang in great ropes among the trees. Here there are monkeys, squirrels, birds and bats again, but also some snakes and tree frogs.
Forest Floor
The forest floor receives less than 2% of the sunlight and consequently, little grows here except plants adapted to very low light. On the floor is a thin layer of fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches that very quickly decomposes. Only a thin layer of decaying organic matter is found, unlike in temperate deciduous forests.
The forest floor is very dark. Larger mammals, such as deer, tapirs, elephants, jaguars and bush pigs, forage among the fallen leaves or prey on each other or smaller animals.
Picture Credit : Google