The uppermost structural layer of a forest, formed by the crowns of the dominant and co-dominant trees. It acts as the primary photosynthetic zone, capturing the majority of sunlight and sheltering the understory below. Foresters measure canopy closure to determine light availability for regeneration and to assess habitat conditions.
Heard on the job
We need to thin out the dominant pines to open up the canopy and let some light hit the regeneration layer.