A Battle for Sunlight in the Jungle
In A Battle for Sunlight in the Jungle, narrator Sir David Attenborough presents the fierce competition for sunlight amongst jungle plants and how the 300-year-old Hura tree has thrived, supporting a diverse range of wildlife. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do plants in the jungle compete so fiercely for sunlight?
A: In the jungle, sunlight is limited at the ground level because the tall trees block it. Plants must grow taller to reach the sunlight, so they compete for this important resource.
Q: How does the Hura tree contribute to the rainforest ecosystem?
A: The Hura tree provides shelter and food for many animals. Its branches create a canopy that forms a home for various wildlife, helping support the rainforest's biodiversity.
Q: What role does light play in the survival of jungle plants?
A: Light is needed for photosynthesis, which helps plants make their own food. Plants that can reach higher or find ways to capture more light are more likely to survive in the dense jungle.
More Like This

In The Extravagant Displays of Birds-of-Paradise, narrator Sir David Attenborough showcases a few of the nearly 40 different kinds of birds-of-paradise on the island of New Guinea. Different birds-of-paradise live in different parts of New Guinea to avoid competing with one another. Male birds-of-paradise try to be extravagant to attract females. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

In Chimpanzees and Their Jungle Community, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains that chimpanzees are one of the few jungle animals to move between the forest floor and the canopy. Watch as a troop of chimpanzees use their calls to announce a raid on the territory of an opposing troop. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

In Grunting With Gorillas, host Andy Day is in the mountains when he finds a family of gorillas. He grunts to let them know he’s approaching. Then he observes the gorillas taking care of each other. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Andy's Wild Adventures, in which Andy Day embarks on wild adventures with his puppet friend, Kip the cat.

In The Colugo Glides From Tree to Tree, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores how colugos survive on the island of Borneo by traveling great distances and gliding through the sky to find food. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

In The Extravagant Displays of Birds-of-Paradise, narrator Sir David Attenborough showcases a few of the nearly 40 different kinds of birds-of-paradise on the island of New Guinea. Different birds-of-paradise live in different parts of New Guinea to avoid competing with one another. Male birds-of-paradise try to be extravagant to attract females. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

In Chimpanzees and Their Jungle Community, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains that chimpanzees are one of the few jungle animals to move between the forest floor and the canopy. Watch as a troop of chimpanzees use their calls to announce a raid on the territory of an opposing troop. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

In Grunting With Gorillas, host Andy Day is in the mountains when he finds a family of gorillas. He grunts to let them know he’s approaching. Then he observes the gorillas taking care of each other. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Andy's Wild Adventures, in which Andy Day embarks on wild adventures with his puppet friend, Kip the cat.

In The Colugo Glides From Tree to Tree, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores how colugos survive on the island of Borneo by traveling great distances and gliding through the sky to find food. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.