FORESTS: OUR LIFELINE
BY PRESTON
Structure of Forests
● The upper branched part of tree trunk is called the crown.
The height of the tree varies.
● Based on the heights of the trees different horizontal
layers are formed:
1. Emergent layer
2. Canopy
3. Understorey
4. Forest floor
Emergent layer
● The topmost layer of a forest is known as emergent
layer .It is most occupied by the trees which are more
than 50m-60m in height.
● The trees in this layer are adapted to the hot weather,
bright sunlight and winds.
● In this layer many animals such as birds,bats,gliders
and butterflies. There are many large raptors, such as
white-tailed hawks,harpy eagles,pygmy gliders and
Madagascan flying fox are more in this area.
Canopy
● This layer is basically below the emergent layer. It mostly
consists of leaves and branches of all tall trees which is
like a unbrella for the below layers of the forest.
● The crowns of the tree are fulled with so many that only a
little amount of light could be pass through it for the below
layers.
● In this particular layer many animals live such as spider
monkey,sloths,bats,poison arrow frog,ants,snakes,
parrots, tree snails and butterflies of many species.
Understorey
● The layer of vegetation which ust below the canopy
layer is called understorey.
● This layer mainly as large leafed plants and small
trees which are adopted to survive with a less amount
of sunlight.
● This layer is home to many animals such as
snakes,birds,lizards,rhinoceros,jaguars,pythons and
lepords.
Forest floor
● This layer of the forest is the lowest layer. It also
receives very little light due to which only a few plants
survive in this dark and warm region.
● This layer is covered with dead decaying leaves,
seeds,small warms,etc
● This layer is home for tigers,lions,deers,bears,ants
beetles,etc.
Questions :
1. How many layers are there in a forest? Name them.
2. What situation does the plants adapt to survive in the
Emergent layer face?
3. The trees of canopy are what for the below layers of
the forests.
4. Which type of animals live in the understorey layer?
5. Which is the lowest layer of the forest?
Thank you
By
Preston
