STRATIFICATION

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants.

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants. Best seen in a forest

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants. Best seen in a forest Animals can also form vertical layers in

the soil, and in lakes/sea Dragonfish

The deep sea dragonfish is a ferocious predator in spite o pf its small size. The

dragonfish has a long barbel attached to its chin. This barbel is tipped with a light-producing organ known as a photophore. These fishes

are sexually dimorphic (the males and females look different). Dragonfishes live in deep ocean waters at depths of up to

1500 m (5000 feet). 

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants. Best seen in a forest Animals can also form vertical layers in

the soil, and in lakes/sea In tropical forests, the animals form

verticals layers through things like – monkeys staying in the canopy without ever going onto the ground.

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants. Best seen in a forest Animals can also form vertical layers in

the soil, and in lakes/sea In tropical forests, the animals form

verticals layers through things like – monkeys staying in the canopy without ever going onto the ground.

General layers in a NZ forest:

STRATIFICATION Vertical layering – usually of plants. Best seen in a forest Animals can also form vertical layers in the soil, and

in lakes/sea In tropical forests, the animals form verticals layers

through things like – monkeys staying in the canopy without ever going onto the ground.

General layers in a NZ forest:1. Canopy2. Sub-canopy3. Tree fern layer4. Shrub layer5. Forest floor layer6. Litter layer

USING YOUR HANDOUT Fill in the layers of stratification

AND SOIL LAYERS...1. Litter layer2. Topsoil layer3. Sub-soil layer4. Soil parent material

REASONS FOR LAYERS Dominant plants in canopy – filter

sunlight, cut down the wind, drop the temperature, and increase humidity.

There a different micro-climates which form at each level.

REASONS FOR LAYERS Dominant plants in canopy – filter

sunlight, cut down the wind, drop the temperature, and increase humidity.

There a different micro-climates which form at each level.

EG. Beech forests – uncomplete canopies. Can be uneven, with sub-canopy filling space

REASONS FOR LAYERS Dominant plants in canopy – filter

sunlight, cut down the wind, drop the temperature, and increase humidity.

There a different micro-climates which form at each level.

EG. Beech forests – uncomplete canopies. Can be uneven, with sub-canopy filling space

EG. In soil – leaf-litter animals are dark coloured and active.

REASONS FOR LAYERS Dominant plants in canopy – filter sunlight,

cut down the wind, drop the temperature, and increase humidity.

There a different micro-climates which form at each level.

EG. Beech forests – uncomplete canopies. Can be uneven, with sub-canopy filling space

EG. In soil – leaf-litter animals are dark coloured and active.

EG. Topsoil, animals aren’t so dark and are slower-moving, while sub-soil animals are usually large, sluggish (pun!) and pale.

ZONATION Bands of organisms may form in relation

to a gradient in a major environmental factor = zonation.

ZONATION Bands of organisms may form in relation

to a gradient in a major environmental factor = zonation.

As you move down a particular environment, vegetation and animals may change slowly/rapidly.

ZONATION Bands of organisms may form in relation

to a gradient in a major environmental factor = zonation.

As you move down a particular environment, vegetation and animals may change slowly/rapidly.

EG. Rocky shore = bands of organisms form due to exposure to the air (at low tide)

ROCKY SHORE ZONATION