![]() ![]() ![]() Straight, unbranched trunks on the canopy trees: once a gap opens above an understory tree, the tree puts all of its energy towards growing into the canopy above it, not to growing side branches in the shady understory, so trees tend to be tall and straight. These small trees are “released” when a large limb or entire tree that was casting shade upon them dies, leaving a gap in the canopy. Suppressed growth: “Suppressed growth” refers to trees that live as saplings in the understory for years, even decades. Branches grow in many layers and point in different directions to capture sunlight as it comes through at different angles during different times of day and year. Multi-directional branch layers in subcanopy trees. Leaves are large in low forest layers and much smaller in the high canopy. Large, fanned out leaves can capture more sunlight, which is at a premium in the lower levels of the forest. ![]() Large leaves, usually fanned out, in shady areas. The berries of many vines are eaten by birds the flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects. Vining is an effective way to reach the sunlight in the canopy without investing a lot of energy in creating a large trunk. “Spring ephemerals” flower and set seed by early summer their leaves disappear by mid-summer. In forests many plants bloom in the spring before the canopy trees are fully leafed out, because they can capture more sun energy.They use this additional energy to flower and begin to form their seeds. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |