Layers of the Rainforest

The facts about rainforests are quite intriguing, and by dividing it into layers, we have a better opportunity to learn more about the different environment and life forms existing in these layers.

Rainforests receive large amounts of rainfall every year (more than 250 cms). These warm, dense, and wet forests are very important for human sustenance as the plants are responsible for the generation of large volumes of oxygen. Although these forests cover only 6% of the Earth's surface, they comprise over half the numbers of animal and plant species on the planet.

The rainforest is divided into four main layers, which differ in the amount of sunlight they receive, the surrounding temperature, the life forms dwelling in them, the humidity levels, etc.

This is the extreme top portion of the rainforest, which comprises tall trees sticking out from rest of the tree population. Since these trees reach great heights with no other layer above them, they have the liberty to spread out their branches and foliage wide enough so that their leaves receive maximum sunlight.

Several emergent trees produce seeds that can be transported via wind currents. The emergent layer houses wildlife such as capuchin monkeys, macaw, snakes, sloths, birds like hummingbirds, eagles, butterflies, bats, bugs, etc.

Since the branches are not very sturdy, heavier animals do not dwell in this emergent layer. This is even better for the animals and birds living there as they are safe away from the predator animals.

Directly beneath the top emergent layer is the canopy layer, which comprises trees that are about 65 to 130 feet tall. This layer is formed by a thick, dense mesh of branches and leaves that intertwine together to form an umbrella type over the other plants and trees growing on the forest floor.

The foliage of trees forming the canopy act as filters, and allow only part of the sunlight falling on them to permeate to the lower layers. Because of this the underlying layers only receive narrow beams of direct sunlight, and happen to appear greenish and dim.

Similarly the canopy also reduces the intensity of rain to a great extent, thereby preventing heavy rains to fall on the underlying plant layers.

The leaves of the trees in this layer have narrow tips for the water to drip off, as stagnant water pools will simply conduce to algae and liverwort growth. The trees in this canopy layer depend on animals for seed dispersion. Their seeds get stuck to the coats and fur of animals, and get transported from one place to another.

Some succulent fruits comprise scores of seeds, which when eaten by the animals gets thrown out of the body in the form of fecal matter, and begin to grow elsewhere. As far as animal species are concerned, these trees are home to howler monkeys and spider monkeys.

In Panama, scientists have found about 950 species of beetle on one tree alone. Many animals such toucans, snakes, tree frogs, etc. dwell in this layer.

It forms the third portion of the rainforest and comprises young trees, shrubs, soft-stemmed plants, etc. Since this layer is shielded to a great extent from wind, rain, and sunlight by the canopy layer, the plants appear dark and green. The flora have large and conspicuous flowers to attract insects and increase the rate of pollination.

The insects in this layer are well camouflaged to resemble sticks, twigs, or leaves. They may even pass off as bird droppings or poisonous animals. Snakes, jaguars, bats, birds, frogs, salamanders, etc. are found dwelling in this layer.

The final layer of the rainforest is the forest floor, which forms the base of the dense, wet, and warm rainforest. This layer is quite dark and dingy, which is quite obvious as one can imagine how much sunlight actually reaches the forest floor after being filtered through three thick layers above.

The plant species living here is basically the fungal variety, which thrive on dead & decaying matter falling from the trees above. The decomposing floral matter also forms a source of nutrition to insects like beetles, earthworms, scorpions, millipedes, termites, etc. Jaguars, gorillas, leopards, armadillos, tigers & elephants dwell on the forest floor.

The rainforests are very important for our existence on the Earth. The oxygen released by these plants is what we require to breathe. It is the duty of humans to efficiently conserve this biome.