First Steps into the Emerald Abyss: Amazon Rainforest Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards highlighting key layers, organisms, and ecological concepts from the Amazon rainforest lecture notes.

Amazon Rainforest

World’s largest tropical rainforest in South America, known for its extreme biodiversity and multi-layered vegetation.

Forest Floor

Lowest, dimly lit rainforest layer covered in leaf litter and decomposing material, where nutrients are rapidly recycled.

Humus

Soft, nutrient-rich layer of decomposed organic matter on the forest floor, feeding plants.

Aposematic Warning Coloration

Bright, conspicuous coloring used by species to signal toxicity or danger to predators.

Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobatidae)

Vividly colored amphibian whose skin secretes potent toxins from its ant- and mite-based diet.

Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

Epiphytic, pineapple-like plant with a central cup that collects water, forming a miniature aquatic ecosystem.

Understory

Dense middle layer of saplings and shrubs beneath the canopy; receives limited light and is humid.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Large, spotted cat and apex predator of the Americas, known for stealth and powerful build.

Canopy

Continuous roof of interlocking tree crowns 60-100 ft up; rainforest’s bustling, sunlit hub of activity.

Capuchin Monkey (Cebus capucinus)

Intelligent New World primate that travels in social troops, foraging for fruit and insects in the canopy.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

Large parrot with striking red, yellow, and blue plumage; forms lifelong pairs and makes loud calls.

Orchid (Orchidaceae)

Diverse family of often epiphytic plants with intricate, exotic flowers clinging to canopy branches.

Emergent Layer

Highest rainforest tier where giant trees rise above the canopy into full sunlight, enduring strong winds.

Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)

Towering emergent tree reaching 150 ft+ with buttress roots; its crown hosts countless species.

Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho peleides)

Large butterfly whose iridescent blue wings result from microscopic light-refracting scales.

Dappled Light

Patchwork of shifting sunlight filtering through leaves, creating mottled patterns on lower rainforest layers.

Apex Predator

Species at the top of a food chain with no natural predators.