Rain forest understory sure doesn't look like forests in North America. These forests have several layers: subcanopy trees, understory trees and palms, shrubs, short palms, and ferns. This picture shows the subcanopy palm, small tree, shrub layers of this forest. With so many layers of light harvesting leaves, the light level at the forest floor is very low. The density of this vegetation reduces your line of sight to just 10-20 yards and even experienced field workers can sometimes get disoriented. See the photo of Anna and Jing working in the understory in class pictures.