Layers of the Rain Forest Vocabulary
NAME:____________________________________ DATE:__________________________________
Draw a line from the definition that best describes the word to the right.
| Woody vines that grow up a tree and act as ladders for some animals to climb. |
CANOPY
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| This is the bottom and darkest layer of the rain forest, home to insects and fungi, rotting leaves, tree trunks, and roots. |
LEAF LITTER
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| Underneath these decaying leaves is thin soil with few nutrients. Tree roots grow shallow to the ground so that they can suck the nutrients from this top layer of the forest floor. |
FOREST FLOOR
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| Plants that grow along branches of a tree and let their roots dangle in the air. These plants get nutrients from moss, algae, and decayed leaves. |
EPIPHYTES
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| The particular environment in which a plant or animal usually lives. |
EMERGENT LAYER
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| This is the top layer, or "roof," of the rain forest. It is home to the harpy eagle. |
HABITAT
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| This is the second highest layer of the rain forest, home to monkeys, sloths, birds, butterflies, insects, and lizards. |
UNDERSTORY |
| This is the layer beneath the canopy and above the forest floor. It is shaded from the sun by the leaves above. Snakes, monkeys, and cats can be found here. |
LIANAS
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