Temperate Diciduous woodland Case study Killynether Wood

CANOPY LAYER SUB-CANOPY SHRUB LAYER GROUND AND FIELD LAYER

GROUND AND FIELD LAYER FERNS GRASSES LEAF LITTER

MOSES AND LICHENS

OTHER FIELD LAYER FLORA

SHRUB LAYER HOLLY HAWTHORN HAZEL

OAK CANOPY/SUB-CANOPY

ASH

BIRCH

REFLECTING THE VARIETY OF HABITAT, IS A DIVERSE FAUNA

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics of deciduous woodland Multi-layered- all plants survive because they occupy different layers Trees provide anchorage for other plants 85% of biomass in trees Animal biomass is small but diverse High volume of soil fauna Above the surface, the most densely populated layer is the canopy Soil- Brown Earth Large return of nutrient in Autumn Leaf litter forms a rich mull humus In winter shrub layer may be more dense

Soil/ rock weathering & root decay Solar Energy Animal Migration Litter Fall Store Litter Store Soil/ rock weathering & root decay Drainage