Rainforest layers

FACT SHEET 10

Under the canopy sunlight filter to the forest floor. Different layers are When you enter a rainforest you will notice the formed within the forest according to how much dramatic change in light level. The crowns of the trees sunlight is available and which plants have adapted to interweave to form a canopy, through which rays of lower light levels closer to the forest floor.

EMERGENT LAYER – to 50m

CANOPY LAYER – 20-40m

UNDERSTOREY – 3-10m

FOREST FLOOR

Emergents Canopy Understorey Forest floor Extremely tall, straight This layer maintains Trees here are prevented Dominated by ground trees from 20-50m in the moist and cool from growing taller by ferns, herbs, seedlings, height which emerge microclimate of the forest. the shade of the canopy. mosses and fungi, which above the general It shields the forest from are shade tolerant. At Sea Acres sandpaper canopy of trees and dry winds, loss of moisture fig (5L), brush Common at Sea Acres branch at the top and humidity and sudden bloodwood (15R), white are shield fern (43L), where the leaves changes in temperature. bolly gum (190R ) and rasp fern (89L), walking receive plenty of Canopy trees at Sea Acres bolwarra (288R) grow in stick palm (46L), orange sunlight. include rosewood (47L), this layer. thorn bush (60L), native Strangler figs are maidens blush (35L), ginger (114R) cunjevoi Epiphytes are often common emergents at bolly gum (174L), myrtle and swamp lily (both at found in this layer. Sea Acres. ebony (186R ) cabbage 1R). Staghorns (212L), tree palm (61R) and elkhorns, ribbon ferns bangalow palm (46R) and birdsnest ferns Vines you may see in this (all at 260L) grow on layer include giant pepper other trees but collect vine (5R), water vine (48L), nutrients from fallen whip vine (Bay 1) and leaves and rain, so are round leaf vine (141R). not parasites.

1 Rainforest layers

FACT SHEET 10 (CONTINUED)

Sea Acres rainforest layers

Emergents

Strangler fig Emergent above canopy

Canopy

Bangalow palms Bollygum Vines

Understorey

Shrubs Birdsnest fern Sandpaper pig

Forest floor

Walking stick palm and ferns Cunjevoi Native ginger

2 Rainforest layers

FACT SHEET 10 (CONTINUED)

Light, moisture and nutrients in the rainforest

• The greatest variety of flowering plants is in the tree layer. • The interlocking canopy keeps humidity levels inside the rainforest high and consistent. • Most of the community’s nutrients are stored in

Light decreases towardsLight decreases the forest floor the trees. • Only about 20 percent of sunlight penetrates the canopy and reaches the forest floor. • Annual herbs are unable to grow on the shady forest floor. Instead ferns, mosses and lichens are well adapted to minimal sunlight. • Dead plant and animal matter is rapidly

Moisture decreases towards the canopy the decreasesMoisture towards recycled by microfauna and fungi, releasing nutrients into the soil.

Some adaptations to low light levels in the rainforest

• Many tree species germinate then remain as • Epiphytes use tree trunks and branches for support to small saplings for many years, awaiting a break obtain sufficient sunlight. in the canopy to give them space to grow. • Tree ferns build up tall trunks which often bend • Strangler figs germinate high in the fork of a towards lighter openings in the canopy. tree and send roots to the ground. This gives • Cunjevoi has very large leaves to make the most of them an advantage in capturing sunlight in the short bursts of sunlight which penetrate between gaps upper canopy. in the canopy. • Vines germinate and climb rapidly by twining • Mosses, lichens and ferns have evolved to or by hooks before producing most of their photosynthesise in low light levels. They grow in moist, leaves and flowers in the canopy layer. Vines shady places, where nutrient levels are high to make grow ten times faster than trees. up for the lower energy levels received from sunlight.

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