The temperate forest layers are different levels of plants that live at different heights within the forest itself.  There are five main layers of the temperate forest, including the canopy or tree layer and the shrub layer.

Yes, forests have layers, just like ogres have layers.  That is a quick reference to one of my favorite movies, Shrek.  In the scene Shrek is telling donkey how ogres are like onions because they have layers.

Now back to business, the next time you go for a walk or hike in the forest I want you to pay close attention and see if you can notice the different layers.  The forest is divided vertically into these different layers.  I think it is pretty cool just to have this basic understanding of the structure of the forest as it helps me to appreciate the forest more.  On your next walk think about how the forest has layers, just like ogres have layers.

The Layers Of A Forest

There are many different types of forest found throughout the world.  The main forests are the temperate forests, boreal forests, and rainforests.  All of these forests vary in terms of what trees and vegetation make them up.  But, they also vary in terms of how many layers they have.

A rainforest has four main layers, but a temperate forest has five main layers.  The main types of forest found in the USA are temperate forests.

The Temperate Forest Layers

Tree Layer/Stratum Or Canopy – This layer goes by various names, but they all mean the same thing.  This is the highest level of the forest and consists of the tallest trees.

The trees are all reaching up towards the sun and competing with each other to get as much sunlight as possible to live and grow.  In a mature forest, the canopy can be very thick with leaves, making it hard to see the sky from the ground.

Likewise it makes it hard for sunlight to penetrate the canopy and make it to the ground.  Each successive layer down in the forest receives less sunlight.

Small Tree or Sapling Layer – Slightly below the canopy are several smaller trees that are not quite as tall as the canopy, but taller than the shrubs below.  This layer also consists of new trees that are growing and haven’t yet reached the canopy because they are still young, really just saplings.

Shrub Layer – This layer is lower and closer to the ground and consists of bushes and shrubs.  Some of the bushes or shrubs you find in this layer may include the notorious poison oak or poison ivy.

Herb Layer – This layer is made up of those perennial wildflowers and ferns.  You can also find ground cover or other low lying plants in this layer.

Ground Layer – The final and bottom layer of the forest is the ground layer.  There is still lots of life to be found in this level, such as mosses, lichens, and clubmosses.  This layer is also made up of the fallen leaves, twigs, and fungi that is decomposing the organic matter.