Emergent Layer
Of the four tropical rainforest layers, the Emergent Layer, or sunlit zone, is the layer where the most sunlight reaches and the tallest plants and trees reach.
Birds and insects living in the Emergent Layer are crucial for the well-being of the rainforest because they help pollinate the plants in the rainforest. Trees at this top layer can rise 30 meters to 76 meters from the ground while the diameter of some of these trees can reach 4.8 meters. Although flowers are not plentiful among the flora of the Emergent Layer, the Orchid thrives in the lower areas throughout this layer. The Brazil Nut Tree stands high above the rest in the Emergent Layer, particularly in the Amazon. It actually produces a large fruit that, when it falls to the ground can reach speeds of 50 mph (80 km).
Animals that live in the Emergent Layer do not typically weigh much. The trees have to be able to support the animals as they move around from tree to tree. Sloths and spider monkeys are among the several types of animals that live in the Emergent Layer. Where the sloth can actually have moss grow on it because it moves so slowly, the spider monkey uses all four of its appendages to zip through the trees. The Emergent Layer is home to the Hummingbird, the smallest bird on earth. They are known for beating their wings so quickly that it makes a humming sound. They also have an extremely fast heart rate that beats between 50 and 75 times per second. The brightly colored Macaw, a member of the parrot family, nests in holes of the trees high up in the Emergent Layer. They eat a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
The giant mahogany
The giant mahogany is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon rainforest. They can grow to heights of 40 metres. The timber from these trees is worth a lot of money, because of its fine grain, the size of the trees and their rich, red colour.
Samauma
Another large tree is the samauma, which has a timber that is light and white in colour. It grows up to 40 metres in height and can have a diameter of up to 180 centimetres.
Birds and insects living in the Emergent Layer are crucial for the well-being of the rainforest because they help pollinate the plants in the rainforest. Trees at this top layer can rise 30 meters to 76 meters from the ground while the diameter of some of these trees can reach 4.8 meters. Although flowers are not plentiful among the flora of the Emergent Layer, the Orchid thrives in the lower areas throughout this layer. The Brazil Nut Tree stands high above the rest in the Emergent Layer, particularly in the Amazon. It actually produces a large fruit that, when it falls to the ground can reach speeds of 50 mph (80 km).
Animals that live in the Emergent Layer do not typically weigh much. The trees have to be able to support the animals as they move around from tree to tree. Sloths and spider monkeys are among the several types of animals that live in the Emergent Layer. Where the sloth can actually have moss grow on it because it moves so slowly, the spider monkey uses all four of its appendages to zip through the trees. The Emergent Layer is home to the Hummingbird, the smallest bird on earth. They are known for beating their wings so quickly that it makes a humming sound. They also have an extremely fast heart rate that beats between 50 and 75 times per second. The brightly colored Macaw, a member of the parrot family, nests in holes of the trees high up in the Emergent Layer. They eat a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
The giant mahogany
The giant mahogany is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon rainforest. They can grow to heights of 40 metres. The timber from these trees is worth a lot of money, because of its fine grain, the size of the trees and their rich, red colour.
Samauma
Another large tree is the samauma, which has a timber that is light and white in colour. It grows up to 40 metres in height and can have a diameter of up to 180 centimetres.