The Understory Layer
The Understory layer, or strata, of tropical rainforest vegetation lies between
the Canopy layer, where there is plenty of sunlight, and the Forest Floor layer,
where there is almost none. When the weather is very hot and wet as it is in
the Understory layer, conditions are just right for an abundance of insects,
mosquitoes, and certain types of flora.The rainforest understory is very hot
and humid, and damp. The humidity keeps most of the animals in this layer alive. Animals like
salamanders and frogs need
to be in humid weather because their skin can not dry out. Some animals
need to lay their eggs in water. This layers weather conditions allows the
animals to do this. It is much darker in this layer and there is a lot less
wind. Several meters below the bottom of the canopy is the understory, a layer made up
of young trees, short species of trees, shrubs, and soft-stemmed plants. The
understory varies a lot from rainforest to rainforest. But everywhere it is
darker, there is less wind, and it is more humid than the canopy above it.
Many different kinds of flowers grow in the understory. Many of these
plants are small. Ginger and passionflowers are two types of small flowers in
this layer. These flowers are usually bright so the insects can see them.
There are also a lot of green leafy plants. This is also so the plant can be
seen
Countless insects can be found in the understory layer including bees,
stick insects, bullet ants, beetles, and butterflies. Many insects are preyed
upon by numerous birds, geckos and monitors
Camouflage is often used by various species of reptiles that live in the
Understory layer. It provides protection from predators by helping them blend
into their surroundings. Since competition for food is fierce, it also helps
them sneak up on unsuspecting prey without being seen until it is too late.
the Canopy layer, where there is plenty of sunlight, and the Forest Floor layer,
where there is almost none. When the weather is very hot and wet as it is in
the Understory layer, conditions are just right for an abundance of insects,
mosquitoes, and certain types of flora.The rainforest understory is very hot
and humid, and damp. The humidity keeps most of the animals in this layer alive. Animals like
salamanders and frogs need
to be in humid weather because their skin can not dry out. Some animals
need to lay their eggs in water. This layers weather conditions allows the
animals to do this. It is much darker in this layer and there is a lot less
wind. Several meters below the bottom of the canopy is the understory, a layer made up
of young trees, short species of trees, shrubs, and soft-stemmed plants. The
understory varies a lot from rainforest to rainforest. But everywhere it is
darker, there is less wind, and it is more humid than the canopy above it.
Many different kinds of flowers grow in the understory. Many of these
plants are small. Ginger and passionflowers are two types of small flowers in
this layer. These flowers are usually bright so the insects can see them.
There are also a lot of green leafy plants. This is also so the plant can be
seen
Countless insects can be found in the understory layer including bees,
stick insects, bullet ants, beetles, and butterflies. Many insects are preyed
upon by numerous birds, geckos and monitors
Camouflage is often used by various species of reptiles that live in the
Understory layer. It provides protection from predators by helping them blend
into their surroundings. Since competition for food is fierce, it also helps
them sneak up on unsuspecting prey without being seen until it is too late.