layers of fresh leaf and needle litter, moderately decomposed organic matter, and humus or well-decomposed organic residue.
The ground layer, made up of tree roots, soil and decaying matter. Mushrooms, earthworms, and elephants all make their homes here.
The lowerst layer of the rainforest. This layer gets the least amout of warmth, sun and rain, so few plants grow on it.
The deposits of plant material such as dead leaves and branches on the ground in a woodland. See also: duff, forest cover.
A layer of accumulated dead organic material, consisting of partially or fully decomposed leaves, needles or twigs, at the surface of forest soil.
The entire thickness of organic material overlying the mineral soil, consisting of the litter and the duff (humus).
the bottom level of the rain forest, which receives little or no sunlight
The layer of decomposing material that covers the soil in a forest.
The lowest level of the forest that is made up of tree seedlings, dead leaves and needles, grasses, ferns, flowers, fungi, and decaying plants and logs.
General term for the surface layer of soil supporting forest vegetation; includes all dead vegetation on the mineral soil surface in the forest as well as litter and unincorporated humus.
The forest floor is the lowest layer of a rainforest, extending from the ground to about 3 feet (1 m) high. This layer is teeming with animal life, especially insects. The largest animals in the rainforest generally live here.