Editing Tropical rainforest (section)

=== Emergent layer ===
[[File:Forest dominated by Gilbertiodendron dewevrei 02.jpg|thumb|[[Congolian rainforests|Congolian rainforest]] dominated by ''[[Gilbertiodendron dewevrei]]'', near [[Isiro]]]]
The emergent layer contains a small number of very large [[trees]], called ''emergents'', which grow above the general [[Canopy (forest)|canopy]], reaching heights of 45–55{{nbs}}m, although on occasion a few species will grow to 70–80{{nbs}}m tall.<ref name="Golley">{{cite book |last= Bourgeron |first= Patrick S.|editor= Frank B. Golley |title=Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystems. Structure and Function |year= 1983 |edition= 14A|series= Ecosystems of the World |publisher= Elsevier Scientific |isbn= 0-444-41986-1 |pages= 29–47 |chapter= Spatial Aspects of Vegetation Structure}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nativetreesociety.org/worldtrees/sea_ei/malaysia/sabah2005.htm | title = Sabah | publisher = [[Eastern Native Tree Society]] | access-date= 14 November 2007}}</ref> Some examples of emergents include: ''[[Hydrochorea elegans]]'', ''[[Dipteryx panamensis]]'', ''[[Hieronyma alchorneoides]]'', ''[[Hymenolobium mesoamericanum]]'', ''[[Lecythis ampla]]'' and ''[[Terminalia oblonga]]''.<ref name=King/> These trees need to be able to withstand the hot temperatures and strong winds that occur above the canopy in some areas. Several unique faunal species inhabit this layer such as the [[crowned eagle]] (''Stephanoaetus coronatus''), the [[king colobus]] (''Colobus polykomos''), and the [[large flying fox]] (''Pteropus vampyrus'').<ref name="Newman, Arnold 2002" />

However, [[stratification (vegetation)|stratification]] is not always clear. Rainforests are dynamic and many changes affect the structure of the forest. Emergent or canopy trees collapse, for example, causing gaps to form. Openings in the forest canopy are widely recognized as important for the establishment and growth of rainforest trees. It is estimated that perhaps 75% of the tree species at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica are dependent on canopy opening for seed germination or for growth beyond sapling size, for example.<ref name="Denslow"/>