Forest Floor
Leaves, flowers, fruit, branches and dead trees fall to the floor of the rainforest. The decaying plant life is rich in energy and it is quickly recycled by decomposers (animals and plants that break down the dead life). A leaf that might take one year to decompose in our forest, will take just six weeks on the forest floor. Little sunlight reaches this layer(about 2% of the light) so plants and animals have adapted to living in a high humidity, low light area. Plant life on the floor can grow up to six feet tall. However, most of the plants grow as close to the ground as possible.
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Animals
Large animals hunt smaller animals on the forest floor. Other smaller animals also call this home. Animals such as frogs, agoutis, pacas, deer, tapirs and rabbits all graze the floor. Other predators, big cats and deadly snakes, are there too. Decomposers, like termites, cockroaches, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions, and earthworms break down the dead plant and animal life to make rich soil for the forest floor. |
Plant Life
The few plants that live here love the deep shade. Plants like seedlings, ginger flowers, ferns and mushrooms grow on the floor. Besides animals that decompose, plants like different fungi help break down the plant and animal matter too. |
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Climate and Temperature
The temperature is almost always over 80 degrees. It is constantly high in humidity - between 90% and 100%. The air is very still and little wind reaches this area.
The temperature is almost always over 80 degrees. It is constantly high in humidity - between 90% and 100%. The air is very still and little wind reaches this area.