Stratification

1. Stratification

2. Stratification • Vertical layering – usually of plants.

3. Stratification • Vertical layering – usually of plants. • Best seen in a forest

4. 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 pfits small size. The dragonfish has a long barbelattached 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). 

5. 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.

6. 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:

7. 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: • Canopy • Sub-canopy • Tree fern layer • Shrub layer • Forest floor layer • Litter layer

8. Using your handout • Fill in the layers of stratification

9. And soil layers... • Litter layer • Topsoil layer • Sub-soil layer • Soil parent material

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. zonation • Bands of organisms may form in relation to a gradient in a major environmental factor = zonation.

15. 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.

16. 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)

17. Rocky shore zonation