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From the ground to the canopy: Can you imagine how many layers of life there are in a forest?
In ecology, stratification refers to the vertical division of a habitat; the hierarchical arrangement of vegetation. The different vegetation layers (singular: stratum, plural: strata) are classified according to the height at which plants grow. Each level is inhabited by different communities of plants and animals, called ecozones.
The vertical structure is classified into forest floor, herbaceous layer, shrub layer, understory and canopy layer.
These vegetation layers are primarily determined by the height of the individual plants, however, the height range of these elements may vary. The top of the canopy forms a relatively closed crown, creating special ecological conditions that affect the light and water penetration of the forest floor. The tree layer can be further divided into the upper tree layer and the lower tree layer, which is crucial in forest ecosystems.
Tree Layer
The tree layer is the vegetation layer starting from about 5 meters high and mainly composed of large plants, up to 45 meters high. The crowns of different trees form a closed canopy, which not only affects the transmittance of light, but also reduces the force of rainwater directly hitting the ground, allowing rainwater to gradually penetrate into the vegetation below.
The canopy usually consists of the tallest trees in a forest or woodland, and its special ecological structure can create different microclimates. The density of the tree layer determines the amount of light in the forest.
Shrub layer and herb layer
The shrub layer refers to vegetation approximately 1.5 to 5 meters high, consisting mainly of young trees and shrubs. This layer receives filtered light and is suitable for the growth of plants that cannot tolerate strong light. At the same time, the herbaceous layer is mainly composed of non-wood plants that grow at the bottom of the forest. Their height is generally less than 1.5 meters and they can continue to grow in an environment with limited light.
Herbs flower early, and as the canopy unfolds, light decreases rapidly, and only plants adapted to this environment can survive in the herbaceous layer.
Forest Floor
The forest floor typically consists of a moss and root layer that is no more than 0.15 meters high, but beneath it is a rich biodiversity of bacteria, fungi and microorganisms that decompose dead matter on the land. Plants and animals contribute to the health of the soil.
Root layer
The root layer, also known as the root system layer, is an important base for plant growth. This layer contains the plant's roots, rhizomes, bulbs and tubers. These roots not only provide plants with essential nutrients and water, but also form a close connection with soil microorganisms.
By layering plants, habitats are used more efficiently. Ecosystems with strong vertical stratification are usually stable, which means that the organisms in each layer have close interactions with each other, thus maintaining ecological balance.
In interactions at different levels, changes in microclimate, especially light factors, have a profound impact on the overall ecosystem.
However, a few less stratified vegetation types, such as reed flats, have managed to remain stable. The different types of plants in the forest are actually inseparable, forming an interesting ecological pattern. These layers and plants not only influence each other's growth, but also shape the stability and diversity of the entire ecosystem.
So, in this multi-layered ecosystem, how do the interactions at each layer affect our environment and ecological balance?
