열대 우림

Tropical rain forests are found in South America, Central America, southern Asia, Hawaii, and part of Australia. They have only one season, and it is warm and rains often. Most plant life grows in the trees. Woody vines called lianas hang among the trees, and orchids and ferns grow on branches and in tree hollows. The rain forest has more biodiversity than any other land biome. Trees grow tall and so close together that they seem to form a big green umbrella called a canopy. The canopy blocks out most of the sunlight in a rain forest. The light that filters through is dim. Only in a few places does enough sunlight get through so plants can grow on the forest floor. Life in rain forest trees exists at these four different layers:

The emergent layer is at the very top. Eagles are always here looking with their sharp eyes for small monkeys and other prey. Butterflies, parrots, toucans, and hundreds of other colorful birds constantly fly through the treetops of this rain forest layer.
The canopy layer is below the emergent layer. Monkeys, apes, sloths, and exotic plants, such as orchids, live here. The thick layer of leaves helps protect animals from the heat and rain.
The understory layer is under the canopy. It has bushes, large green plants, and small trees. Lizards, snakes, and frogs are some of the animals that live in this layer. On the dark forest floor live snakes, tapirs, jaguars, tamanduas (anteaters), and gorillas. Insects, giant centipedes, spiders, ants, and beetles are very abundant.