Forest Biodiversity

Forest layers, biodiversity, and food webs. Class 7 Science with quiz.

Class 7 ScienceClass 7 / Grade 7Ages 9–12
Lesson
🌿 Forest Biodiversity
Forest layers — a vertical city of lifeEmergent layer (30–60m)tallest trees; eagles, butterfliesCanopy (20–30m)dense leaves; monkeys, parrotsUnderstorey (5–20m)shade plants; leopards, snakesShrub layer (0–5m)ferns, shrubs; insects, frogsForest floordecomposers; fungi, beetles

A forest is not just trees — it is an enormously complex layered ecosystem. The emergent layer at the top has the tallest trees, exposed to maximum sunlight, and is home to eagles and large butterflies. Below it, the dense canopy layer is home to monkeys and parrots. The understorey receives less light and shelters leopards, reptiles, and shade-tolerant plants. The shrub layer hosts insects, frogs, and smaller plants. On the forest floor, decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead material and recycle nutrients.

Frequently asked questions

More lessons