brief summary of the different vertical habitats within a rainforest. The different vertical habitats within a rainforest include the forest floor, the understory, the canopy, and the emergent layer. The forest floor is the lowest level of the rainforest and is characterized by little sunlight and heavy shade. The understory is the layer above the forest floor and is characterized by low light levels, but it is home to many plants and animals. The canopy is the primary layer of the rainforest and is characterized by a dense network of leaves and branches that forms a continuous canopy over the forest floor. The emergent layer is the highest level of the rainforest and is characterized by tall trees that are exposed to the sun and wind.