The Layers of a Forest
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Basics on the topic The Layers of a Forest
Follow Newton as she explores the different layers of the woodland forest. Learn about their characteristics and creatures that live there!
Transcript The Layers of a Forest
Newton is on a discovery tour of the forest today! Ze's heard that there are layers in the forest, similar to the floors in a house. Ze wants to see for zirself! Let's look at "The Layers of a Forest" together. The layers of a forest are decided by how much sunlight they get. The tree tops are the uppermost layer and get the most sunlight. The thicker the forest has grown at the top, the less sunlight reaches the layers below. The more light that comes through the trees, the better the plants in lower layers can grow. The top layer of the forest is made of two parts: the CANOPY and UNDERSTOREY. They are like the roof and attic of a house. The canopy is made of the leafy tops of woodland trees. Can you spot any animals up here?
There's a squirrel and an owl! Birds of prey and woodpeckers also have their nests and breeding spots here. Below the canopy, you can find the SHRUB layer. Here there are more leaves and plants, bushes and berries such as hazelnuts, or elderberries. Look closely, what kind of insects are these?
They are butterflies and bees. You can also find other living creatures in this layer like beetles or birds that build their nests in bushes. Beneath the shrub layer lies the GROUND layer. There you can find mosses, mushrooms, and the fallen leaves of trees. But many creatures live here too. Which ones do you recognise?
Spiders, snails, and ants call the ground layer home. Mice and hedgehogs also live on the ground. Underneath the ground layer is soil. A lot of things happen down here. This is the underground layer of the forest, similar to the basement level of a house. So, when you walk in the forest, you can't see this layer the way you can see the others. If you could see into the soil, you would find plant roots. The roots give support and help the plant absorb water and nutrients, so they can grow. Small creatures and bacteria live in this layer too, like millipedes, earthworms, and moles. Do you recognise THIS animal? It also makes itself comfortable here in the soil.
It's a badger! Let's take a look back at what we learnt today! A forest consists of different levels, also called layers. The top layers of the forest are the CANOPY and UNDERSTORY. This is where animals like squirrels, owls or woodpeckers live. Underneath the canopy is the shrub layer. Insects like butterflies or bees call this layer home. In the GROUND layer live creatures like snails, ants and mice. Below the ground layer is soil where plant roots can be found. Moles and earthworms can live in this layer. And what is Newton, the bee, doing?
Ahhh! Home sweet home!
The Layers of a Forest exercise
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How are the layers of the forest decided?
HintsPlants need this to produce their own food.
The more light the tree receives, the bigger it gets.
Do all of the layers get the same amount of light?
SolutionThe layers of a forest are decided by how much sunlight they get.
The more light that comes through the trees, the better the plants in lower layers can grow.
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Identify the correct order of forest layers.
HintsThe top layer of the forest is made up of leafy tops of woodland trees, and it receives the most sunlight.
The bottom layer of the forest is one that we cannot see as it is underground, and receives the least sunlight.
SolutionThe layers of the forest are ordered as follows from top to bottom:
- Canopy and Understory
- Shrub
- Ground
- Soil
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Identify the layer of the forest described.
HintsThis is the layer below the canopy and understory.
Plants receive less sunlight because the tall trees block it.
In this layer, you can find bees and butterflies.
SolutionThe layer described is the shrub layer.
It is located below the canopy and understory and above the ground layer.
It contains leaves, plants, bushes and berries. It is home to insects such as butterflies, bees and beetles, as well as some nesting birds.
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What are some of the features of each of these layers?
HintsThink about the order of the layers and what you could find in each one. What would you find underground and what would you find higher up?
Which of these animals flies high? Which live their lives on the ground?
We can't always see the roots of a plant. Where are they?
SolutionCanopy and Understory
- In this layer you can find squirrels and owls.
- This layer has plants and bushes. You could find elderberries here.
- You might find animals such as mice and hedgehogs here.
- This layer is important for plants as it is where their roots are. The plants use their roots to get nutrients.
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What can be found in the different layers?
HintsBirds of prey and woodpeckers also have their nests and breeding spots in the canopy.
On the ground you would find things that have fallen.
Some animals can fly or climb so might be found up high. Some don't, so are usually found down low.
Here is a reminder of the different layers.
SolutionA forest consists of different levels, also called layers.
The top layers of the forest are the canopy and understory. This is where animals such as**squirrels and owls** live. It is also where you can find nests of the birds that live in these layers.
The ground layer is home to creatures such as hedgehogs. You can also find fallen leaves and mushrooms. -
How is the soil layer important for the plants and animals?
HintsPlants absorb water and nutrients so they can grow. Which part of the plant does this?
These are some of the small creatures that live in the soil layer.
SolutionThe image above shows the correct answers. The lowest layer of the forest, the soil layer, has many interesting characteristics.
