Forest Canopy

forest · layers · plants · ecosystems

The leafy roof. The forest canopy is the top layer of trees where sunlight first hits. It's made of branches and leaves from the tallest, most mature trees that form a thick cover over the forest below.

Blocks the sun. Because the canopy is so dense and leafy, it blocks most of the sunlight from reaching plants on the ground below. This is why the forest floor can be dark and shady, even on a sunny day.

A whole neighborhood. The canopy isn't just trees. It's a complete habitat zone full of animals like birds, insects, and monkeys that live and eat in the branches, rarely coming down to the ground.

Keeps forests healthy. The organisms living in the canopy help the whole forest stay diverse and strong. They scatter seeds, pollinate plants, and control pests in ways that keep the forest ecosystem balanced.

Works for crops too. The canopy concept applies to farms and gardens as well. Farmers think about how the leafy top layer of their crops affects soil, water, and what can grow underneath.