Field notes: the Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland is a tropical rainforest. Warm temperatures and frequent rain help many kinds of plants grow. Its layers provide different habitats: emergent trees rise above the canopy; the canopy is a leafy roof; the understory is shaded below it; and the forest floor is damp and receives little sunlight. Plants use sunlight to make food. Animals depend on plants and other animals for food and shelter. Decomposers such as fungi break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil. If one population changes, other parts of the ecosystem can be affected.