Stratification (vegetation)

The actual layer is characterised by the height range in which the vast majority of photosynthetic organs (predominantly leaves) are found.

The plants of a layer, especially with regard to their way of life and correspondingly similar root distribution interact closely and compete strongly for space, light, water and nutrients.

[citation needed] This layer of vegetation starts from a height of about 5 metres and comprises the top stratum, which consists of phanerophytes.

[citation needed] The canopy usually refers to the highest layer of vegetation in a forest or woodland, made up of the crowns of its tallest trees.

The shrub layer only receives light filtered by the canopy, i.e. it is preferred by semi-shade or shade-loving plants that would not tolerate bright sunlight.

Small to medium sized birds sometimes known as bush nesters are often found in the shrub layer where their nests are protected by foliage.

At the edge of a woodland the shrub layer acts as a windbreak close to the trees and protects the soil from drying out.

[citation needed] This layer contains mostly non-woody vegetation, or ground cover, growing in the forest with heights of up to about one and a half metres.

Sometimes, a shrub layer builds up in grasslands as part of a process of spontaneous reforestation (ecological succession).

[citation needed] Growing on the surface of the forest floor is vegetation of up to about 0.15 metres in height in what is variously described as a moss, soil or cryptogam layer.