| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Decomposers | Organisms which break down dead organic matter. |
| Deforestation | The process of clearing an area of trees and other vegetation. |
| Climate | A region with specific weather conditions. |
| Endangered | A plant or animal species that is close to becoming extinct. |
| Threatened | Species of plants and animals that are likely to become endangered in the near future. |
| Emergent layer | The top layer or "roof" of the rain forest and has full sun. |
| Canopy | The 2nd highest layer of the rain forest. It has medium sized trees and lets little light pass through. |
| Understory | The layer of vegetation in a forest below the canopy but above the ground and has filtered light. |
| Forest floor | The darkest and wettest part of the rain forest. |
| Temperate | Places where it is neither very hot nor very cold. Usually with warm summers and cool winters. |
| Tropical | Around the middle of the world in the region called the Tropics, where it is very warm all year. |
| Epiphytes | These plants grow along the branches of a tree. |
| Liana | A thick, woody vine that grows up trees and acts as ladders for animals to climb. |
| Leaf litter | Decayed leaves. |
