Editing Rainforest (section)

== Layers ==
{{main|Stratification (vegetation)}}
A tropical rainforest typically has a number of layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in that particular area. Examples include the emergent, [[canopy (biology)|canopy]], [[understory]] and [[forest floor]] layers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Denslow |first1=J S |title=Tropical Rainforest Gaps and Tree Species Diversity |journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics |date=November 1987 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=431–451 |doi=10.1146/annurev.es.18.110187.002243 |bibcode=1987AnRES..18..431D }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=A Physiognomic Classification of Australian Rain Forests|first1=Len|last1=Webb|author-link=Leonard Webb (academic) | journal = Journal of Ecology| publisher=British Ecological Society : Journal of Ecology Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 551–570|date=1 October 1959|volume = 47|issue = 3|pages = 551–570|doi = 10.2307/2257290|jstor = 2257290|bibcode=1959JEcol..47..551W }}</ref>

=== Emergent layer ===
The '''emergent layer''' contains a small number of very large [[tree]]s called '''emergents''', which grow above the general [[Canopy (forest)|canopy]], reaching heights of 45–55 m, although on occasion a few species will grow to 70–80 m tall.<ref>{{cite book |last= Bourgeron |first= Patrick S.|editor= Frank B. Golley |title=Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystems. Structure and Function |year= 1983 |edition= 14A|series= Ecosystems of the World |publisher= Elsevier Scientific |isbn= 0-444-41986-1 |pages= 29–47 |chapter= Spatial Aspects of Vegetation Structure}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nativetreesociety.org/worldtrees/sea_ei/malaysia/sabah2005.htm | title = Sabah | publisher = Eastern Native Tree Society | access-date= 14 November 2007}}</ref> They need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds that occur above the canopy in some areas. [[Eagle]]s, [[Butterfly|butterflies]], [[bat]]s and certain [[monkey]]s inhabit this layer.

=== Canopy layer ===
{{Main|Canopy (biology)}}
[[File:FRIM canopy.JPG|thumb|The canopy at the [[Forest Research Institute Malaysia]] showing [[crown shyness]]]]
The '''canopy''' layer contains the majority of the largest trees, typically {{convert|30|m}} to {{convert|45|m}} tall. The densest areas of [[biodiversity]] are found in the forest canopy, a more or less continuous cover of foliage formed by adjacent treetops. The canopy, by some estimates, is home to 50 percent of all plant species. [[Epiphyte|Epiphytic plants]] attach to [[Trunk (botany)|trunks]] and [[branch]]es, and obtain water and minerals from rain and debris that collects on the supporting plants. The fauna is similar to that found in the emergent layer but more diverse. A quarter of all insect species are believed to exist in the rainforest canopy. Scientists have long suspected the richness of the canopy as a habitat, but have only recently developed practical methods of exploring it. As long ago as 1917, [[Natural history|naturalist]] [[William Beebe]] declared that "another continent of life remains to be discovered, not upon the Earth, but one to two hundred feet above it, extending over thousands of square miles." A true exploration of this habitat only began in the 1980s, when scientists developed methods to reach the canopy, such as firing ropes into the trees using [[crossbow]]s. [[Canopy research|Exploration of the canopy]] is still in its infancy, but other methods include the use of [[Balloon (aircraft)|balloons]] and [[airship]]s to float above the highest branches and the building of cranes and walkways planted on the forest floor. The science of accessing tropical forest canopy using airships or similar aerial platforms is called [[dendronautics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dendronautics.org/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614070953/http://www.dendronautics.org/|url-status=usurped|title=dendronautics|archivedate=14 June 2006}}</ref>

=== Understory layer ===
{{Main|Understory}}
The '''understory''' or '''understorey''' layer lies between the canopy and the forest floor. It is home to a number of [[bird]]s, [[snake]]s and [[lizard]]s, as well as [[predation|predators]] such as [[jaguar]]s, [[boa (genus)|boa constrictors]] and [[leopard]]s. The leaves are much larger at this level and insect life is abundant. Many [[seedling]]s that will grow to the canopy level are present in the understory. Only about 5% of the sunlight shining on the rainforest canopy reaches the understory. This layer can be called a ''[[shrub layer]]'', although the shrub layer may also be considered a separate layer.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

=== Forest floor ===
{{main|Forest floor}}

[[File:Forest in the bluemountains.jpg|thumb|Rainforest in the [[Blue Mountains (Australia)|Blue Mountains]], [[Australia]]]]
The '''forest floor''', the bottom-most layer, receives only 2% of the sunlight. Only plants [[Adaptation|adapted]] to low light can grow in this region. Away from [[river]]banks, [[swamp]]s and clearings, where dense undergrowth is found, the forest floor is relatively clear of vegetation because of the low sunlight penetration. It also contains [[decomposition|decaying]] plant and animal matter, which disappears quickly, because the warm, humid conditions promote rapid decay. Many forms of [[Fungus|fungi]] growing here help decay the animal and plant waste.